The Elm Street universe is free to continue! The estate of Wes Craven has reached an agreement with Paramount Pictures to continue the franchise. The production company now owns the U.S. rights to the original screenplay written and directed by Wes Craven and released in 1984 starring Robert Englund.
Going forward, any new movies will be released through Paramount’s newly created genre-focused production label, Paramount Primal. The label will be headed up by the team who produced Weapons, Barbarian, Companion, and Friendship; J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules.
Furthermore, The Hollywood Reporter announced an Elm Street movie is already set to be adapted into a new feature!
Details are being kept hush-hush, but what we know so far is that the movie will be set in the established Elm Street world based on the original classic.
Will Robert Englund be Returning?
Unfortunately, Robert Englund will most likely not be reprising his role of Freddy Krueger in the new movie.
Robert Englund last played Freddy Krueger in 2003’s Freddy vs Jason at 56 years old. However, after the eighth and final installment of the original Elm Street series, Englund decided to put down the glove. He explained the fight scenes, stunts, and intense make up applications were becoming too much for his body. For a dream demon who has no restrictions, Englund’s bad back, neck pain, and arthritis in his wrist handicapped the aging actor from the physically demanding role.
However, Englund has made it known that he is open to reprising the character in the world of animation. Englund’s voice is just as iconic as his look, as well as the energy he brings to the child killer and dream stalker. He additionally floated the idea of making a cameo if the franchise was ever to continue in the world of live action.
See who our choices are are at iHorror for the next Freddy Krueger.
Going Forward
Wes Craven’s estate is both owned and managed by his widow Iya Labunk and their son Jonathan Craven. The duo will help produce the new Elm Street installment. Labunk released a beautiful statement regarding the continuation of her late husband’s legacy;
“Jonathan and I are so excited to be partnering with J.D. and Rafi along with the terrific team they’ve assembled at Paramount Primal. We look forward to bringing the world of Wes Craven’s ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ to a new and completely engaged generation of fans. We know that Wes would have been thrilled to see how horror is taking its long overdue place in the cultural canon. We can’t wait for all of us to sit together in a dark theater — around the campfire of today — as the next chapter of the ‘Nightmare’ story unfolds.” Iya Labunk
What do you think of the continuation of the Elm Street series without Wes Craven behind the camera and Robert Englund not wearing the glove? Can this franchise compete in a genre with so much new blood? Let us know in the comments! And whatever you do… don’t fall asleep!
