After the 2010 A Nightmare on Elmstreet reboot failed to relaunch the series, New Line hasn’t had much to say about the franchise.
The reboot was both critically panned and didn’t fare much better with movie audiences. Critics gave it a 15% on Rotten Tomatoes while audiences gave it a 43%. The movie only made $63 million domestically and only $115 million worldwide.
The reboot saw Jackie Earle Haley replace horror legend Robert Englund as Freddy Kreuger. While Englund announced he wouldn’t star as Freddy in anymore Nightmare projects two years ago, he wasn’t afraid to let us know who he thinks should take on the role.
Just for the record, I will NOT be starring as Freddy in any new Nightmare projects, real or fictional
— Robert B. Englund (@RobertBEnglund) September 29, 2015
In a recent interview with Cinema Blend, Englund talked about the rumors surrounding the franchise, and who he would like to see become the master of nightmares.
Well the gossip I’ve heard, and I don’t know how valid this is, but there has been some talk about using, or perhaps he’s been approached, Kevin Bacon. Yeah. I think that would be great. He’s in one of my favorite little horror movies, Stir of Echoes, and you should check it out if you haven’t seen in. And I just think Kevin’s the right size. I think he respects horror movies. He doesn’t make fun of them. I think it would be real interesting.
This is pretty interesting. Kevin Bacon has done work in the horror genre before. With films such as Stir of Echoes, Hallowman, Flatliners, Termors and a few others. He’s also a respected actor with a ton of talent which could give any potential remake much-needed credibility with fans. With his filmography, Bacon wouldn’t be a foreigner to the genre.
Plus, if you remember his role as Sebastian Shaw in X-Men: First Class, you know he can pull off a scary, sinister, and evil villain with the best of them. I would love to see him take on Freddy Kreuger and bring terror back to young teenager’s nightmares again!
This is perfect timing to reboot or relaunch Freddy Kreuger. Thanks to the success of multiple horror movies this year, February’s Get Out, and recently IT, the market is ready for horror that isn’t watered down. Horror that is deep in its substance. Both Get Out and IT were both scary, but also substantive. That type of respect for fans has been lacking in the horror movie genre as of late.
How do you feel about the possibility of Kevin Bacon taking on the role of Freddy Krueger? He’s got the stamp of approval from Robert Englund, does he have yours? Tell us in the comments below!