Conversations about rebooting the Elm Avenue franchise have been plentiful over time, each earlier than and after the lackluster 2010 effort, with Elijah Wooden voicing curiosity, and fellow horror mastermind Mike Flanagan additionally having pitched concepts. None of these went very far, for causes, however now my want for a brand new Freddy Krueger has been rekindled by a most villainous Stranger Issues acquainted.
Jamie Campbell Bower, who introduced Stranger Issues’ large unhealthy Vecna to life in Season 4, is unquestionably set to return in upcoming Season 5 episodes, however is at the moment selling his newest style launch, a remake of the 1986 supernatural horror Witchboard. Having hit the 2025 launch schedule on August 15, the up to date occult flick was directed by Chuck Russell, who additionally occurred to direct some of the beloved slasher sequels of all time, A Nightmare on Elm Avenue 3: Dream Warriors.
Talking with CBR, Bower agreed to the notion that he would undoubtedly return for an additional Witchboard film if the chance arose, after which gave props to the director and extra, saying:
And, in fact, to work with Chuck was an absolute dream. And I have been lucky sufficient to now even have labored with Frank Darabont as effectively.
For individuals who might not keep in mind, The Inexperienced Mile and The Shawshank Redemption author/director Frank Darabont returned from his behind-the-camera hiatus to helm two episodes of Stranger Issues‘ closing season, which is able to little doubt mix for a runtime longer than that of the common slasher film. Oh yeah, Darabont additionally occurs to be the man who co-wrote A Nightmare on Elm Avenue 3: Dream Warriors with Russell, Wes Craven and Bruce Wagner.
So like, is it simply me, or do the celebrities appear to be aligning for an ideal team-up to lastly show that Freddy Krueger’s legacy can proceed with out Robert Englund within the function? Chuck Russell is clearly nonetheless bringing his skills to the massive display screen, and the truth that Frank Darabont returned to directorial work for Stranger Issues is probably an indication that his inventive juices are skewing bloody once more.
Bower even used the phrases “absolute dream” to explain it! I imply, come on! It is not an ideal 1:1, but when the actor referred to the expertise as a “nightmare,” I do not assume it could have higher helped my argument.
I Hadn’t Thought-about Jamie Campbell Bower For Freddy Krueger Earlier than, However…I am All In
My argument right here might have simply simply centered on Russell and Darabont reuniting for an additional Nightmare film, given in addition they teamed up on 1988’s The Blob remake, which is proof that they’ll succeed along with preexisting materials. However the extra I began eager about Jamie Campbell Bower as a possible Freddy, I discovered no causes to argue towards it.
I am admittedly not acquainted with the whole lot of Bower’s filmography, so I assume it is attainable he is performed a task that might point out he’d be a horrible Freddy, however I doubt it. He is actually excelled at enjoying haunting creepsters as of late, as seen in Kevin Costner’s western epic Horizon: An American Saga, the place his villainous Caleb Sykes simply held the display screen reverse Costner together with his baritone rasp and his piercing eyes. Not fairly a Freddy chortle with that man, nevertheless it’s comprehensible.
No matter different roles, Stranger Issues‘ Henry Creel (or One or Vecna) is clearly probably the most overwhelming piece of proof that Bower would rock out as Freddy. Henry is an unnerving monster each in human kind and in Upside Down-monster kind, with the latter proving how effectively he already act beneath a ton of make-up and prosthetics, which is significant.
Additionally, I imply, it isn’t for nothing that Henry Creel’s father Victor was portrayed in Season 4 by — [checks notes] — ROBERT ENGLUND. Passing the torch is type of already within the two actors’ fictional bloodline. In my head, Englund and Bower spent hours earlier than and after filming episoes capturing the shit about all issues Nightmare on Elm Avenue, and that Bower wrote the whole lot down, and has been dreaming of enjoying Freddy all of his life. And no, this is not simply me residing vicariou…okay, you bought me.
To make clear, if somebody was capable of make Englund immortal, free from bodily aches, and simply usually keen to return to the function within the meantime, I would nonetheless desire him, due to course. However which dream deity to I want to achieve out to and threaten with the intention to get the metaphorical wheels turning on a brand new Elm Avenue film with Bower because the burned-up youngster killer?
If anybody does know, ship me the identify of that deity, and I am going to additionally throw in an additional want for Heather Langenkamp to desire a Dream Warriors reunion with Russell and Darabont, with out having to play both Nancy or herself.
Whereas ready for somebody to place my needs into motion, Witchboard is at the moment in theaters, whereas Stranger Issues Season 5 Half 1 can be out there to stream by way of Netflix subscription on Thursday, November 27.