In our recent chat with director Jeff Wadlow, the filmmaker revealed that he would “love” to take a crack at Freddy Krueger.
I’m still kind of in shock that Paramount has announced a new A Nightmare on Elm Street movie is finally moving forward. Fans have been waiting…and waiting…and waiting. Like the dreams that Freddy Krueger prowls, it still doesn’t feel totally real. Revealing a director sure would go a long way towards turning that dream into a reality.
Recently, I had the chance to sit down with filmmaker Jeff Wadlow (Imaginary) to discuss his upcoming sharksploitation film, The Devil’s Mouth, starring Kathryn Newton (Ready or Not 2). During the chat, I couldn’t help but ask…would he be up for taking a crack at Freddy?
“Oh, my god. I love Freddy. Who wouldn’t want to do that? Yes!” replied Wadlow.
He’s right. Directing A Nightmare on Elm Street is a dream project for many directors. A chance to take on one of horror’s most popular icons, and after so many years of lying dormant? Sure, it’d be a challenge, but, as I discussed with Wadlow regarding his new film, a challenge is exactly what he’s looking for.
Behind the camera or not, though, the filmmaker’s thrilled we’re getting another Nightmare at all.
Continued Wadlow, “I mean, I’m excited to see it just as a fan. I love the character. The conceit that if you fall asleep, you can die….that is so good. Also the notion that you’re in your dreams and anything can happen, but there are real stakes…I mean, that’s one of the hardest things to figure out as a storyteller. We all love to take our characters to fantastical places, but how do you make sure there are stakes? How do you make sure it still feels real and dangerous? And Wes Craven is the master with that. Yeah, no, I’m beyond excited.”
It’s funny. When Wes Craven originally pitched Nightmare around town, studio after studio passed because they didn’t think the audience would buy into the stakes. How could they, if they knew the dreams weren’t real? Oh, how wrong they were.
