Recently, Robert Englund sat down to speak with Florida Today. He is attending Orlando’s Spooky Empire. He talked about what it was like to play the role of Freddie Krueger, why the role was so iconic. He also talked about why he thinks conventions like Spooky Empire are so vital to the horror industry.
Near the end of the interview, man who played Freddy Krueger, Robert Englund was asked how he would handle a a Nightmare film was in charge of the franchise. What kind of Freddy story would he tell if he had his way? Of course, keep in mind, he has said he will never play Freddy again.
“If I was in control of my own Nightmare on Elm Street movie I have an idea I would have liked to see. I thought it would be great if the children of previous victims, or just kids who grew up hearing stories about Freddy Krueger, were each haunted by their own version of Freddy Krueger. Kids who grew up hearing stories about this Freddy Krueger guy and the awful things he did envisioned him in their own way, and that is the version that begins to haunt them. Some people may picture him as stout, another might envision him as tall & thin, another with a different hat, or a different sweater. He could have different gloves, or even a glove with small razor blades as referred to in the first movie. It would be neat to see very different interpretations of Freddy Krueger based on the child’s vision of who or what Freddy was to them. After all, each person’s subconscious would picture him in a totally different way.”
Personally, this would add a new level of terror to the series. But I always thought Freddy was in control of the Dream World and when the dreamer took control, it was the way to defeat him. Sure, Freddy has shown up different, but under his control. None of the children of Elm Street had ever seen him before their Nightmare.
I like the idea of a charging Freddy, but it could confuse the viewer. But keeping the constants, red and green sweater, burnt appearance and of course the glove…maybe this could work. It feels contradictory to me. Unless this was how a series reboot happens.
Robert Englund is a sharp guy and who knows the character better?
What do you think of the idea?
