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Credit: New Line CinemaThe “man of our dreams”, Robert Englund, best known for playing Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, has finally been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
It’s been a long time coming for the 78-year-old horror legend, who carved out a name for himself in Wes Craven’s landmark horror film, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), which spawned six sequels, a spinoff (2003’s Freddy vs. Jason), and a 2010 remake. Englund appeared in every film but the latter, as well as in the television series, Freddy’s Nightmares.
The 2010 reboot saw Jackie Earle Haley take up the mantle of the dream demon, but despite slicing $117.7 million out of the global box office on a budget of $35 million, the film was met with negative reviews, and, consequently, a planned sequel ended up in development hell.
Now, fans have long been wondering about the future of the franchise. Despite many rumors of a possible reboot over the years, nothing has been announced. Film rights reverted to Wes Craven’s estate in 2019, while Warner Bros./New Line Cinema retains control over international distribution. Either way, it’s unlikely Robert Englund will ever reprise his role.
Related: ‘Elm Street’ Reboot May Feature a Female Freddy Krueger
On the other hand, never say never. In 2018, he returned as Freddy Krueger in a Halloween special of the ’80s-set series The Goldbergs. However, he told Variety in 2023 that he’s “too old and thick to play Freddy ” and “can’t do fight scenes for more than one take anymore,” adding that he has a “bad neck and bad back,” as well as having arthritis in his right wrist.
But he did say that he’d love to do a cameo in a future Elm Street installment. Last year, however, he surprised fans when he told ComicBook.com that an animated reboot would be “a great idea”, while also proposing that a prequel to the original film could also work well.
Related: How to Watch the ‘Elm Street’ Movies, Including the Reboot and TV Series
During his recent Walk of Fame celebration, Englund raised the idea of relaunching Elm Street in other media again, telling Entertainment Tonight that he’d love to see a “dark, stylized graphic novel” or an “animated series,” and that “it would be really fun to voice him [Freddy].”
During the event, Englund was joined by filmmaker Eli Roth (Hostel) and his A Nightmare on Elm Street co-star Heather Langenkamp, who starred opposite him in the 1984 film, the 1987 sequel Dream Warriors, and the “meta” sequel Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994).
“I’m really grateful for being perm cemented into American popular culture,” Englund told ET, adding, “It’s just amazing to be a footnote in Hollywood history.”
While Englund would gladly reprise his role in front of the microphone, it’s clear that he’s finally hung up the fedora and razored glove when it comes to another live-action portrayal.
But he did name two ideal successors in the interview, one of them being Kevin Bacon (Hollow Man), whose hat has been thrown in the ring many times over the years. “I think he would bring a certain grace of stylized movement to it that I think Freddy needs,” Englund said. He also recommended Jim Carrey, saying that the Grinch actor “can do no wrong.”
Jim Carrey as Freddy Krueger? Now that would be something.
Who do you think should play Freddy Krueger in an Elm Street reboot? Sound off in the comments below!