When news came out that the folks behind The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday The 13th reboots were going to work their magic on the Nightmare On Elm Street franchise, I have to admit I felt some serious hesitation. Not because revisiting Freddy Krueger and his blades is a bad idea; far from it. It was more because the filmmakers were not going to be asking Robert Englund back to reprise his role. Unlike madmen like Jason, Michael Myers, and Leatherface, Freddie Krueger has a seriously twisted and demented personality, one that shone because he was played by a good actor. Even a lesser Elm Street flick (Freddie vs Jason, I’m looking at you) was worth a fans time just to watch Englund on screen one more time.
For whatever reason, the filmmakers elected to replace Englund. Maybe they thought he was too old. Maybe they wanted a “fresh” face. So into the shoes of Freddie steps Jackie Earle Haley, who scored some serious fanboy credibility this year as Rorschach in Watchmen. While I’m sure Haley will do a decent job, it’s going to be hard seeing someone knew slice and dice the kids of Elm Street.
Today BloodyDisgusting released the first official shot of Haley as Freddie Krueger. Clearly, they’re really going out on a limb with this one. While we may not get a look at the face, the body, hat, and green and red sweater is classic Krueger. Which makes me wonder why we couldn’t have had Robert Englund don the glove more time.
A Nightmare On Elm Street hits theatres April 16th, 2010
