Nightmare on Terrifier Street: Director Teases Epic Freddy Krueger & Art the Clown Crossover

Terrifier director Damien Leone expressed his desire for Art the Clown to team up with Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Freddy, who gained fame in the 1980s, is a well-known pop culture figure, while Art the Clown is a relatively new character. Art, initially portrayed by Mike Giannelli, made his debut in the short film The 9th Circle in 2008, followed by appearances in Terrifier in 2011 and a segment of All Hallows’ Eve in 2013. David Howard Thornton later assumed the role in the full-length version of Terrifier and its upcoming sequel, Terrifier 2, set for release in 2022. Although Art may not be as instantly recognizable as Freddy, Jason, or Michael, the release of Terrifier 2 has elevated the character and filmmaker to a global level of recognition.

During their attendance at Mad Monster Party Arizona, Leone and Thornton participated in a panel discussion to share their franchise's success and discuss Art the Clown's future. When questioned by Screen Rant about his preferred horror icon for a crossover with Art, Leone selected none other than The Springwood Slasher. While Leone would personally be interested in working on a Friday the 13th film, he believes a collaboration between Freddy and Art would be enjoyable due to their shared dark and twisted sense of humor. The full quote from Leone at the event can be found below.

What’s Next for Art the Clown?

Reimagining a Classic: My Take on Friday the 13th

If given the opportunity to recreate or revitalize one of the iconic films, my ultimate choice would undoubtedly be Friday the 13th. As a child, Jason Voorhees held a special place in my heart, making this a dream endeavor. Frequently, we are asked if Art could potentially join forces or engage in a dramatic confrontation with another character. Personally, I am inclined towards witnessing an alliance or thrilling battle between Art and Freddy, as their unique senses of humor seamlessly complement one another.

Following the commercial and critical success of Terrifier 2, Art's impact on the horror franchise is only just beginning. The sequel catapulted this previously obscure slasher villain into the realm of pop culture icon, partly due to shocking reports of theatergoers experiencing vomiting and fainting. In May 2023, it was officially announced that Terrifier 3 was in the works, backed by a seven-figure budget, a significant increase from the $250,000 budget of its predecessor. Despite the heightened budget and the growing interest in the intellectual property, Leone made the decision to produce the third installment independently in order to maintain complete creative control. In fact, during the Mad Monster Party event, the director even joked that major studios would have rejected Terrifier 3 after reading just the first five pages of the script.

Will a Freddy Krueger & Art the Clown Crossover Happen?

Despite the growing popularity of Art, Leone has no intention of transforming the character into a never-ending horror franchise like Freddy and Jason. While Leone has already conceptualized a storyline for two additional sequels, there are no future plans for Art beyond Terrifier 4. Nevertheless, he firmly believes that a larger studio will eventually take up the mantle and continue the franchise.

It appears highly unlikely that there will be a crossover between Terrifier and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Leone was merely entertaining a hypothetical question at the convention, showing his appreciation for iconic slashers such as Freddy and Jason. Moreover, the director is focused on developing the mythos and origins of Art the Clown in Terrifier, potentially elevating him to the same level as the aforementioned slasher villains. The future of A Nightmare on Elm Street remains uncertain, as there have been limited updates since Wes Craven’s estate obtained the rights to the IP in 2019. While anything is possible, as demonstrated by films like Freddy vs Jason and Alien vs Predator, a Freddy and Art crossover movie does not appear to be on the horizon.

Source: Screen Rant at Mad Monster Party Arizona