Robert Englund is one of only two actors to play Freddy Krueger in a movie. He’s played Freddy in every single movie in the franchise, in fact, except for the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, which saw Jackie Earle Haley briefly don the claws. But for a great many horror fans out there, Englund is the one and only Freddy. The actor has firmly ruled out a return to the role in live-action. Animation, however? That’s a different story.
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I recently had the very good fortune of speaking with Englund in honor of the first seven Nightmare on Elm Street movies making their way to 4K Ultra HD this month. During the conversation, I asked the actor if he would be open to reprising his role as Freddy in an animated project. He is, indeed, open to the prospect, if not enthusiastic about it. Here’s what he had to say:
“Oh, sure. I mean, I’m really busy with voice work anyway. I just did Pinocchio: Unstrung, I’m the evil cricket. I like that idea. When I do the cons and film festivals, I’m confronted with so much great illustration art of Freddy Krueger, conceived in so many ways, whether it’s the storyboards or a great, violent graphic novel, or a comic book, or posters, or even a comedy take on Freddy. I love it.”
“I know there’s this whole world in animation that could take advantage of the Nightmare on Elm Street stories, which I think would be really fun,” Englund added. “I’d love to contribute to that, sure.”
The last time Englund played the character in a movie was in 2003’s Freddy vs. Jason. He also briefly appeared in an episode of The Goldbergs, but that’s been it for quite some time. The Elm Street franchise has been dormant for 15 years at this point. Wes Craven’s estate is in control of the rights and were said to be taking pitches for a new movie several years ago, but nothing ever came of it.
Animation feels like an interesting avenue for the series. Predator: Killer of Killers proved long-running horror franchises can go animated with thrilling results. It feels like something quite a few streaming services would jump at the chance to produce, particularly with Englund involved. It seems like one of those situations where there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. Your move, Hollywood.
You can grab the Nightmare on Elm Street movies on 4K now on disc or via your preferred digital retailer. For more, check out the new, very real Jason Voorhees Chia Pet.
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