The merger between indie horror outfit Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, the label of one of the genre’s most prolific filmmakers, James Wan, is beginning to bear fruit. They announced their first project bringing on an acclaimed young director, and may have something ambitious up their sleeve.
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The project is a mysterious feature film set for 2026 that has Evil Dead Rise helmer Lee Cronin and his production company (Doppelgangers) attached. New Line Cinema, the House that a certain dream stalker built, is also part of the team and could hint at something greater.
“I am super excited to be gathering up my gang of oddballs from Doppelgängers to join forces with the overlords of horror at Blumhouse and Atomic Monster,” Cronin said via Deadline.
“Collaborating with Jason, James and the wonderful teams from these two storied and massively successful organizations is what perfect nightmares are made of [emphasis added],” he continued.
“Getting to return to New Line Cinema and my wonderful partners over there is the cherry on top. I’ve got something wickedly entertaining and terrifying hidden up my sleeve, and I can’t wait to bring it screaming to the big screen on April 17th, 2026,” he added.
“Lee is a gifted filmmaker in the world of horror whose storytelling has electrified audiences. We’re excited to collaborate with him on this project, and to bring viewers on a wildly entertaining ride,” Wan commented.
Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse, chimed in saying, “Lee’s work is always fresh and surprising and he has an intriguing, modern take on something quite ancient [emphasis added again] that I think audiences will love.”
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“This also marks an exciting series of firsts for us: Atomic Monster and Blumhouse’s first time working with Lee and our first joint project for Warner Bros. We can’t wait to get started,” Blum continued.
This announcement has social media buzzing, but not because of the incredible line-up or any reason you might think of. Some, as YouTube channel The Lost Drive-In pointed out, poured over the details and came to an interesting conclusion.
The film could be a new installment in the Nightmare On Elm Street franchise.
Based on Cronin’s use of the word “nightmares” and the involvement of New Line who were put on the map by Freddy Krueger, there are fans hoping for a stroll down Elm Street for the first time in 15 years – one that will redeem the last time.
2010’s remake starring Jackie Earle Haley as the razor-gloved one left a sour taste in the fandom’s collective mouth and forced producer Platinum Dunes out of the horror remake business in embarrassment.
As dreamy as the prospect could be, a few things mitigate it. Not least is sorting out the rights issues with the Wes Craven estate, but Blum may have poured cold water on things before they can get rolling.
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He described Cronin’s script – which the filmmaker tweeted a cryptic image of – as a “modern take on something quite ancient.”
Unless you’re someone who thinks of the 80s as that long ago, Freddy isn’t exactly “ancient” although the forces that empower him are, according to the series lore.
The fact Cronin’s is an original screenplay doesn’t leave a lot of room for Mr. Krueger either, though that could be a red herring.
In either case, there are two ways to look at it if he does come for the children of Springwood once again: we have another unwanted remake but also an opportunity when the slasher’s been away from them for far too long.
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