Nightmare on Elm Street's Robert Englund's Shocking Star Wars Audition Confession

Robert Englund, best known for his portrayal of Freddy Krueger, almost landed a role in a galaxy far, far away, as revealed in a clip from the upcoming documentary Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story. The documentary delves into Englund's career before and after his iconic role in Nightmare on Elm Street, highlighting his foray into other genres such as sci-fi with the V miniseries and ensemble dramedy Stay Hungry. Screen Rant is excited to share this exclusive clip before the documentary's wide release.

Why Englund Not Being Cast In Star Wars Was For The Better

Englund, who is seen in the video above, reminisces about almost auditioning for the original Star Wars during its development phase. He was aware of the roles of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in the movie. Despite not being able to read for George Lucas, he had his polaroid taken. However, his presence there would eventually lead to one of the most important castings in the sci-fi classic.

After his unsuccessful attempt to land the role of Luke Skywalker, Englund reflected on the experience. In 2022, he revealed that he had taken the audition sides back to his apartment, which he shared with future The Lost Boys writer Janice Fisher. Actor Mark Hamill, a friend of Englund's, frequently visited the apartment and Englund gave him the sides. Hamill ended up auditioning for the role and, as we know, he landed one of the most iconic roles in cinema history.

Englund's missed opportunity with Star Wars may have been disappointing, but it ultimately paved the way for his success in landing bigger and more diverse roles. His portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise garnered him iconic status, appearing in multiple movies and TV shows, including the Friday the 13th crossover Freddy vs. Jason. Englund continued to showcase his talent in other horror favorites such as Urban Legend, 2001 Maniacs, and Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, solidifying his place in the genre. Fans can now delve into Englund's full career with the upcoming release of Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story on digital platforms and Screambox.