Filmmaker Curry Barker is currently collecting major critical praise for his feature debut Obsession, currently over-performing at the box-office. With a second feature, Anything but Ghosts lined up, and Barker also set to take on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre franchise, it’s safe to say his slate is busy.
However, Barker has another major horror franchise in his sights! Speaking recently, Barker has added his name to the growing roster of people wanting to take on A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Whilst promoting Obsession, Barker said:
“Obviously, everybody wants to do Nightmare on Elm Street. It’s kind of like the hot thing right now. I don’t even know who has the rights to that or what — I hear that the rights are pretty locked tight for that movie, but man, what a concept that has endless potential of nightmares and how trippy and weird and creepy they could get. I would love to take a crack at that.”
Barker is currently the third filmmaker in the past year to express their wish to take on Nightmare. Previously, Lee Cronin and Mike Flanagan have longed to take a stab at the franchise.
But why hasn’t this happened? Shockingly, it’s been sixteen years since we last had a Nightmare movie.
Well, as with so many franchises, it’s a matter of rights. Once entirely owned by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, 2019 saw the Nightmare rights lapse. This meant the domestic rights went back to the Wes Craven estate, whilst New Line retained the European rights.
Now, both parties must agree how to proceed with the next Nightmare instalment in order for anything to move forward. So far, that hasn’t been something they’ve been willing to do.
Despite the continuing outcry from fans, neither party is willing to surrender their portion of Nightmare to enable development on a project.
So, although several filmmakers long for the chance to bring back Freddy Krueger, they likely shouldn’t hold their breath.
Oh well! At least Barker’s take on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre looks like a sure thing. We sure are looking forward to it!
