Rumours of a reboot to the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise have been abound ever since it was announced the rights had reverted to the Wes Craven Estate and they were fielding pitches following the success of 2018’s Halloween.
However, since then things have gone radio silent. Perhaps the Craven Estate are hard at work on a new chapter right now, perhaps they have the perfect script and are just waiting for the right time? But one question is on the lips of any fan when the possibility of a new Nightmare film arises; will Robert Englund don the glove once more to portray Freddy Krueger?
Now, we finally have an answer, and much to the heartbreak of fans the world over, that answer is no. Whilst promoting his retrospective documentary Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story, the actor had this to say when posed the question:
“I’m too old and thick to play Freddy now,” Englund says. “I just can’t do fight scenes for more than one take anymore; I’ve got a bad neck and bad back and arthritis in my right wrist. So, I have to hang it up, but I would love to cameo.”
Disheartening news indeed, but Englund’s openness to a cameo is in line with that of original Michael Myers actor Nick Castle, who was honoured with a cameo in each of David Gordon Green’s legacy sequels. It would delight fans to no end if Englund turned up in another role, acting as a literal torch pass to a new actor taking on the Krueger mantel. And who might that actor be? Well, Englund also had very definite thoughts on that, and it’s a theory already floated and embraced by Elm Street fans.
“I think Kevin Bacon. I know he respects the genre, and he’s such a fine physical actor. “I think that in the silences and in the way Kevin moves — it would be interesting.”
Hopefully Englund’s words carry some weight and the public interest is enough to resurrect the series once more. A Nightmare movie starring Kevin Bacon with a cameo from Englund sounds particularly awesome.
Robert Englund’s documentary premieres June 6th, proclaimed Robert Englund Day, and is available on all good streaming platforms.
