In 1984, a young actor named John Shepherd was on the cusp of achieving his breakthrough moment in the film industry. His opportunity came unexpectedly when he secured a leading role in a project initially titled Repetition. Excited by the character’s potential, Shepherd later expressed, “I read the character breakdown and I thought it was so cool,” as documented in the book Crystal Lake Memories. Determined to embody his role fully, he adopted a rigorous approach, famously stating he went “very method.” He wore sweatpants and a heavy coat while running up 10 flights of stairs just before his audition. “Then when I went into the reading, I took off my jacket and just started sweating. I didn’t look at them, I didn’t talk to them, I was just really intense. I could tell I struck something.”

Securing the role was only the beginning; Shepherd soon faced an unexpected twist when he discovered that the project wasn’t Repetition at all. Instead, he was cast in the fifth installment of the iconic horror franchise, Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, released in 1985. “I remember then finding out it was a Friday the 13th and being really disappointed,” he reflected. “I just thought, ‘Oh, gosh! I always swore I’d never do a horror film.’” This revelation not only surprised Shepherd but also set the stage for his complicated relationship with the genre.

He wasn’t the only cast member caught off guard by this revelation. Tiffany Helm, who portrayed the punk rock-loving character Violet, recounted, “Nothing was said about the film being a Friday the 13th. I thought the reason being that if the potential cast members knew they were going to be involved in such a money-making venue, they would ask for a better contract. It was not until we were cast that the real name of the project was even revealed. But I was happy to be working.” This reflects the secrecy often surrounding lucrative franchise films and how it can impact actors’ expectations and contractual agreements.

Despite his strong religious convictions, Shepherd ultimately decided to accept the role. “I think I rationalized it,” he explains in Crystal Lake Memories. “The reason I found I could do the film was that evil was punished. Mercilessly and graphically. I wouldn’t have a problem with that or nudity in a script that ultimately had a redemptive worldview.” This perspective highlights the intricate balance actors often navigate between personal beliefs and professional opportunities, especially in the horror genre.

Read More: Why ‘Friday the 13th Part VI’ is the Best Jason Movie Ever

In this film, Shepherd took on the role of Tommy Jarvis, an older and more traumatized version of the character previously portrayed by Corey Feldman in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. By the end of A New Beginning (spoiler alert, but the movie has been out for 40 years…), Tommy confronts and defeats a mortal antagonist who had been masquerading as the legendary Jason Voorhees throughout the film. This pivotal moment not only served as a climax for the character but also hinted at future developments in the franchise.

The film’s closing scene, where Tommy dons Jason’s iconic hockey mask and wields a machete, strongly suggested that the producers envisioned Tommy taking over as the central figure in the horror series. This potential shift in direction for the franchise added layers of intrigue and speculation for fans eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Box Office Performance and Its Impact on Jason Voorhees’ Legacy

Despite a promising start with a box office haul of $8 million during its opening weekend, Friday the 13th: A New Beginning quickly fell from favor in theaters. This decline can be attributed to poor word of mouth, likely exacerbated by the film’s unique marketing strategy, which featured the “real” Jason Voorhees only appearing in dream sequences. Ultimately, the film grossed $22 million—substantially less than the previous installment, The Final Chapter, which had set a higher benchmark.

Clearly, the studio took note of this box office drop, leading to a strategic pivot for the next movie in the franchise, 1986’s Friday the 13th: Jason Lives. The title alone signaled their commitment to reinstating Jason as the franchise’s primary antagonist. While Tommy Jarvis remained a character in this sequel, Shepherd chose not to reprise his role, opting instead to pursue a path as a pastor. “I was counseling a church youth group after Part V came out,” he elaborated. “I felt, ‘How can I create a character in this franchise, then tell kids you shouldn’t go see R-rated films?’” This decision reflects the personal and professional crossroads many actors face, especially when navigating the moral implications of their work.