The current state of A Nightmare on Elm Street is exciting, if confusing.
As we’ve reported over the past weeks, two new Nightmare features are in development. One with the approval of The Craven Estate at Paramount Pictures, and another project at Warner Bros.
How is this possible? The Craven Estate retains the domestic rights to Nightmare and Freddy Krueger, so can make and distribute a new film in the United States. Similarly, Warner Bros. own the international rights, and can make and distribute Nightmare content throughout Europe.
Now, it seems the studios are at war, both pledging to be the first to bring Freddy back to the big screen. Whilst neither studio has announced active development on a new Nightmare instalment just yet, even the idea of a Freddy return has made numerous filmmakers dizzy with excitement.
Mike Flanagan has been vocal about his wish to take on the franchise recently. So too has Sinister creator Scott Derrickson, as well as Evil Dead Rise’s Lee Cronin’s name consistently being linked to the property.
Now, a new genre heavyweight has tossed his hat into the ring.
Whilst promoting his latest film, Adam Wingard was asked about the possibility of stepping forward to resurrect Freddy Krueger.
The Onslaught filmmaker admitted he was “intrigued” but sceptical about the idea of taking on such a beloved project:
“If somebody showed me a script or gave me a concept, I would look at it, because I love those movies and I’d be intrigued. But, to be honest with you, I don’t know how you would do that. It doesn’t feel like you could be as funny as Freddy Krueger was. I feel like nobody would be daring enough to let you do that. And they already tried to make him scary with the really depressing 2010 one. So, yeah, I’m not really sure, but I’m excited to see what happens with it.”
Furthermore, Wingard disclosed he had a project similar to Nightmare in the works:
“Weirdly, I have another project I’ve been developing that’s in the vein of that, so, we’ll see what happens.”
So, it appears Wingard would be open to revitalising A Nightmare on Elm Street if the concept was right. But it seems he’s at a loss as to how he’d bring Freddy Krueger back.
We’ll keep an eye on all things Nightmare on Elm Street related and bring you any further updates when we can.
