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Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form have been set by New Line to re-launch Freddy Krueger, the iconic psycho who haunts the subconscious dreams of teenagers and kills them in their sleep.
The trio will create a new franchise based on "A Nightmare on Elm Street," the 1984 Wes Craven film.
Originally played by Robert Englund, Krueger haunted nine films and two TV series, and was New Line's most lucrative franchise until "The Lord of the Rings."
The deal comes as Bay, Fuller and Form ready for an April start for "Friday the 13th," a New Line re-launch of another iconic baddie, Jason Voorhees. Marcus Nispel will direct a script by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift ("Freddy Vs. Jason").
Both franchises will be given a complete overhaul, something that Platinum Dunes provided in the Nispel-directed "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." New Line won't hire a writer on "Nightmare" until the writer's strike ends.
Platinum Dunes is busy. At Rogue Pictures, the producers are prepping an untitled David Goyer-directed exorcism thriller which has "Cloverfield" star Odette Yustman set to star, and a "Near Dark" remake that will be directed by Samuel Bayer. Bay, Fuller and Form are also developing a Universal remake of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," with Martin Campbell directing Naomi Watts.
-Bloody Disgusting-
Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
Yeah, my interest in this has definitely reached a new low. I wasn't a fan of the TCM remake, but I did like that prequel even though most didn't.
I will probably boycott the Near Dark remake.
The only reason to get rid of Englund is if they are going the prequel route and need someone younger to play the role.
Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
Italian horror site Bad Taste spoke to Robert Englund while he was in Rome scouting locations for his new directorial project THE VIJ, and the actor revealed that he won't be reprising his classic Freddy Krueger role in New Line and Platinum Dunes' recently announced NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET remake (first reported here). "I think there is always room for new interpretations by using the new tecnology," he tells the site. "In the past, they were talking about a prequel. Anyway, I'm too old for this new version, otherwise it would be FREDDY VS. VIAGRA."
Englund does say he's game to make a cameo, though: "It would be a lot of fun. I'm a great fan of [Dunes'] Michael Bay; I took my nephew to see TRANSFORMERS on the opening day, and I thought it was terrific. So, yes, I would be delighted to."
Sad news for Englund/Freddy fans, though it seems like his experience and fame in the role is paying off: "I wouldn't be auditioning some gorgeous Italian actresses [for THE VIJ] these days if I hadn't played Freddy," he says.
-Fangoria-
Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
Well, this really sucks. I guess this is going the prequel route. We are probably gonna get something similar to the Zombie reboot of Halloween. Half will be a prequel and the other half will be a condensed remake of the original elm street. I understand not needing Englund for that type of reboot, but its definitely a mistake.
Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
A different article pretty much saying the same thing....
Platinum Dunes and New Line rocked the horror world last week when the production entities announced they were working together to overhaul the "Nightmare on Elm Street" brand (full story here). A number of industry sources recently phoned in to shed some light on the early discussions going on behind-the-scenes regarding "Nightmare"...and none of them include Englund starring as Krueger.
The franchise facelift includes discovering a new actor to polish up the finger knives and play the iconographic dream role Englund has practically made his second skin since '84.
Disheartening news for the fans, maybe, but rumor has it Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes is taking "Nightmare" back to square one...as in fresh start, hitting the reset button, making it their own (think "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" '03 and Friday the 13th '09). Because of this decision, they'd like to find another actor to carry the new Krueger into future films.
Again, early talks. Script-wise, nothing can be sealed up until the WGA strike meets an end...and it sounds like that may be sooner than later.
From shocktilyoudrop.
- Gunslinger
- Rep: 88
Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
This fucking sucks. England's face is iconic to Freddy as the hockey mask is to Jason or the converted Kirk mask is to Michael. The only difference is you can have someone else don the hock or Kirk and (provided they "play the part" well) pull it off, the same can't be said for England's face. Bad, bad bad choice. Nightmare was a masterpiece and like TCM, Friday the 13th or Halloween I doubt very seriously that the remake will ever really touch the original's level of perfection.
Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
Yep, we're in the dark ages of film all right.
I don't think I would go that far(yet), but the horror genre is definitely entering uncharted territory with all these relaunched franchises. We have the remake boom with the asian remake boom, and it means very unoriginal horror is on the horizon.
- DoubleTalkingJive
- Rep: 74
Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
I think that it's crazy to try to reboot this movie without Robert Englund and he's right he is too old. I say let the movie stay where it is. Freddy Kruger is the type of character the Englund totally made his own, not only by the way he looked, the way he acted and the way he added his own touch to that character. That character was his for years, I personally don't think you can just up and recreate that. I certainly can't see anyone doing what Englund did and it not be cheesy.
Re: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Introducing the New Freddy Krueger
I searched back in the bowels of GN'REvo searching for interesting topics, and was shocked to hear this. I actually haven't followed the NOES series post the old days all the much, and cannot believe that Englund is not going to be back as Freddy.
There's just somethings you don't fuck with to me.
Anthony Perkins IS Norman Bates. In 1998, Vince Vaughn, badly, played the role in a horrible remake of the original Psycho.
I was shocked with the Halloween remake in 2007, that Malcolm McDowell was able to pull off a serviceable Loomis. Maybe it's the multi-layered talent of McDowell to made it possible, but for a long time Donald Pleasence and even now IS Dr. Sam Loomis.
To me, other things should not be touched. If Robert Englund is not going to be Freddy Krueger, they shouldn't fucking make it. For years they've been trying to get a Phantasm V off the ground. But god forbid if Angus Scrimm dies, but if he dies, The Tall Man and the Phantasm franchise dies with him. Only HE can be The Tall Man.
There's just some things you don't miss with. I think Loomis was not a massive deal, because Halloween had broke off from Loomis before - EARLY - with Halloween III. But Perkins, Englund, Scrimm... these are roles you just don't mess with.
Actually, like Psycho '98, at this point, I hope it's a disaster. That's right. I want it to be an absolute BOMB and destroy any chances for future films without Englund.
