Surprising Choice for Next Freddy Krueger Actor Revealed

Robert Englund, the actor behind the iconic horror character Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, has offered a surprising suggestion for future filmmakers who may be looking to take on the role: Kevin Bacon. Englund has portrayed the razor-gloved killer in various iterations of the franchise since the original film's release in 1984, even playing both himself and the character in Wes Craven's A New Nightmare. He has also lent his voice to video games and appeared in documentaries as the infamous slasher.

Englund believes that his time as the beloved Freddy Krueger has come to an end, as reported by Variety. However, he has a replacement in mind - fellow horror actor Kevin Bacon, who has been in the industry for decades. Initially suggested by a fan, Englund fully supports the idea, stating that Bacon has a great respect for the genre and is an exceptional physical actor. He believes that Bacon's movements and the way he handles silence would make for an intriguing portrayal of the iconic character.

Despite the audience and filmmakers' desire for Robert Englund to reprise his role as Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, the actor has stated that he is unable to do so due to his physical limitations. Englund explained, "I just can't do fight scenes for more than one take anymore. I've got a bad neck, bad back, and arthritis in my right wrist." However, he expressed interest in making a cameo appearance. In the 2010 reboot of the franchise, Jackie Earle Haley played Freddy to mixed reviews, while Englund sat out. Englund's experience with the character that catapulted him to fame in the mid-1980s will be explored in the upcoming documentary Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story. The actor believes that horror is the punk rock of cinema and that there is a place for pulp and melodrama in the horror genre.

Bacon, who played a doomed camp counselor in Friday the 13th early in his career, has since starred in numerous horror films, including Tremors, Stir of Echoes, You Should Have Left, and the recent They/Them, making him a potential candidate to carry on England's legacy. Fans can currently stream A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) on Amazon Prime Video.

Source: Variety