In the era of everything old is new again, there is no question that we are going to see a new Nightmare on Elm Street movie, perhaps sooner rather than later. The question is, what shape will it take? And who will be taking up the mantle as Freddy Krueger? Well, Blumhouse Productions head Jason Blum is not only very interested in securing the rights to make the next film in the franchise, but he believes he could get Robert Englund back for one last go-around as Freddy too.
Blum recently spoke with Screen Rant while making the rounds to promote his studio’s latest effort, The Black Phone. During the conversation, he was asked about wanting to secure the rights to Elm Street, saying, “I really do” in response. Things got interesting when the subject of Englund potentially returning as Freddy came up. Blum, seeming quite confident, expressed his belief that he could get the actor back in the saddle.
“I could make him come back. I can get anyone back. I mean, Ellen Burstyn was 87, and I got her back in The Exorcist.“
Blum is referring to the fact that Burstyn is coming back for a new Excorcist movie produced by Blumhouse as part of a new trilogy, much like the studio did with the new Halloween movies. It is worth pointing out that Blum also got both Jamie Lee Curtis and John Carpenter to return to Halloween for all three films, including this year’s Halloween Ends. With that in mind, perhaps he has reason to be confident in his ability to sway someone like Englund, should the opportunity arise.
As for how realistic this all is? Englund is 75, and the actor has expressed that he feels like the time has passed for him to carry a franchise on his back as he did with Nightmare on Elm Street for a full two decades between 1984 and 2003 when Freddy vs. Jason hit theaters. Blum also quipped during the interview, “Yeah, 75-he’s young!” Meanwhile, Wes Craven’s estate currently has the U.S. rights to make the franchise and was said to be taking pitches for a new film back in 2019. We’ve heard right next to nothing in the past few years, officially speaking.
The last time Freddy hit the silver screen was in 2010 with the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, starring Jackie Earle Haley as our new Freddy. The film performed poorly with critics but made a damn good $117 million at the box office. Still, the series has been dormant ever since, even though slashers have very much returned. In particular, genre staples such as Scream and Texas Chain Saw Massacre are getting new opportunities to shine. Having Englund back as Freddy one last time, especially after his recent stint on Stranger Things, would undoubtedly generate a lot of buzz. So, make some calls, Mr. Blum.
The Black Phone hits theaters Friday.
