Will Robert Englund Return in Freddy Krueger Animated Film?
Robert Englund has firmly ruled out donning the Freddy makeup again. The 78-year-old actor last’s Nightmare on Elm Street movie was Freddy vs. Jason in 2003. However, Englund stated recently in an interview with Fangoria that he’s ready and willing to lend his voice to a Freddy Krueger animated film. He mentioned the impressive fan art he’s seen at conventions and his voice acting experience in prior films.
The franchise has been in limbo since the commercial and critical failure of the 2010 remake, which starred Jackie Earle Hayley as Freddy. Is this a potential path forward for the dormant franchise? Predator: Killer of Killers was received well, so there is precedent for a franchise taking this route. I’m generally not a huge fan of animated movies, but I would definitely watch an Elm Street installment if Englund is voicing Freddy.
Right now, there are no solid plans to bring this idea to reality, but my hope is that Englund’s interest will translate into something tangible being developed. Freddy’s appearance in the videogame Dead by Daylight could be used as an inspiration for how an animated Freddy Krueger would appear in a movie.
Other characters could return as well. Heather Langenkamp could voice Nancy, for example. Or the dream warriors from parts 3 and 4 could show up. If rights issues were worked out, Krueger’s nemesis Jason could even show up as well.
A Freddy Krueger animated film would provide the filmmakers with great creative freedom. They could set the movie in the ’80s and have it be a direct follow up to the original, similar to the legacy sequel Halloween (2018).
If this project is going to ever get off the ground, it needs to be soon. Englund isn’t getting any younger. It’s been 15 years since the last Elm Street installment and fans are dreaming of seeing Englund in the role at least one more time.
