Related Sections: Horror Interviews Movies News Top Stories
How new Nightmare re-invents Freddy
Early teasers for the reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street show Freddy Krueger in his trademark sweater, fedora and razor-fingered glove, but shadows intentionally obscure his face to hide the new burn makeup, said star Jackie Earle Haley, who takes on the iconic role from Robert Englund.
"He's got a new look going," Haley said in a group interview over the weekend in Pasadena, Calif., where he was promoting his upcoming Fox TV series Human Target. "We're still true with the fedora, the sweater and the glove, but the mug is a little bit more based in reality."
Englund played Freddy in eight films and a syndicated TV series. Haley is ready to face comparisons. "Our approach was to make him a little more serious," Haley (Watchmen) said. "He's a little less jokey."
Whether or not it works, Haley thinks it was worth the risk. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," he said. "As an actor, I'm one that's willing to take risks. Especially as a character actor, I've got to be willing to go out and totally mess up. If I try to play it safe, I'm not going to be a very good actor. I would imagine, somewhere along the way—and hopefully it's not this—but even with characterizations and stuff, playing it safe is not what makes us interesting. It's getting in there and really trying to do something with something and hope for the best."
Haley added that it was an easy decision for him to step into the role. "Oh, man, I did need to think about it for [but] a minute and a half," Haley said. "I just kept going, 'Freddy Krueger?' It's such an iconic character. How could I not do that character?"
It took six films to fully explain Freddy's backstory, from being burned alive to getting his dream powers from a set of floating heads. Haley indicated that the new filmmakers pack more Freddy history into the new Nightmare, if not the floating heads.
"I think we get a little bit more than in the original film," he said.
There is room to explore Freddy further in sequels, but Haley avoids jumping the gun. "I've signed on to do a couple more, but it needs to be successful before they do that," he said.
A Nightmare on Elm Street opens April 30, 2010.
By Kargg at 11:06 AM ON 08/11/09
I'm just curious--what floating heads? I've seen all the films, and I don't remember him getting his powers from floating heads. Maybe I forgot, but I don't think so.
By you'reforgetful at 11:58 AM ON 08/11/09
The floating heads were in Freddy's Dead the final nightmare
By suprememango at 12:14 PM ON 08/11/09
yeah. that was a horrible movie Kargg, definitely the worse of the series. Though it did give a little background on Freddy. Tom Arnold and Roseanne Barr had a cameo. Need I say more?
By zzbickyzz at 8:32 PM ON 08/11/09
Hollywood, why are we so obsessed with remakes/reboots, especially film era 1980s?
Haven't you learned from Halloween already?
Please leave Robert Englund's portrayal of Freddy alone!!!!!
By Mark in St. Louis at 9:30 PM ON 08/11/09
And don't forget: the floating heads were in "3-D"!
By hackyouup at 10:38 PM ON 08/11/09
STOP BITCHING ABOUT REMAKES!!!! No matter how much they rebuff these movies as is and put them in HD they are still old & dated, remakes serve as an opertunity for a new generation/audiance to experience & relate to these stories & characters who won't watch a movie dated and older then they are. Without Remakes most these movies will settle into obscurity as their franchises have already dead. Granted Halloween was awful but Chainsaw, Star Trek, & Dracula were awsone & sparked NEW inyterests in dead properties
By Mandy at 2:00 AM ON 08/12/09
Let me ask you something, hackyouup. If a novel was written several years ago should it not be read again until revised? No. If something is a classic that means it has gained a timeless quality and is relatable in some way to every generation. Remakes become painfully dated in trying to personify an era while a true classic film is ageless. And truly great horror is frightening no matter how old it is. That is what makes a classic. Remakes are unnecessary.
By Sha at 4:06 AM ON 08/12/09
Trying to get my head around someone else being Freddy, and a little less jokey...his sense of humor made it perfect. The roach motel, the video game, "What a RUSH", Oh and one of the first kills, young Johnny Depp! How can anyone "Improve" on the originals! I love the idea of getting More Freddy, but I hope they didn't take away everything that made it great!
By Goodfella at 8:30 AM ON 08/12/09
Haley is wasted under make-up.
By NadaNuff at 10:11 AM ON 08/12/09
"Remakes become painfully dated in trying to personify an era while a true classic film is ageless."
Remakes don't necessarily (if at all) try to personify an era. They take an established idea and UPDATE it, making it enjoyable for a modern audience. And classic films are not necessarily ageless, they are simply enjoyable despite their age. Back to the Future is a classic film, but it screams 80's. It is not ageless.
Comparing books and movies is useless. They are two different types of media.
Finally, the opinion "remakes are unnecessary" baffles me, since no movie is truly "necessary". You could think that remakes are not entertaining, but plenty of people have enjoyed them. More than a few people like The Departed, which was a remake.
Judge the movie based solely on its strengths and weaknesses. Don't moan and complain about remakes because of your own bias towards them--especially when the movie isn't even out yet.
By nomadicempath at 11:16 AM ON 08/12/09
I have friends that work in hollywood & they told me that remakes are popular in hollywood because they already have a name associated that people reconize & therefore the studios expect to make money on them. Studios have been fearful on trying new ideas since the mid 90's. They are more concerned with lining their pockets then putting out a good quility product
By Tekzel at 1:25 PM ON 08/12/09
There is no rule that states you can't line your pocket AND make a good quality product. I like the idea of remaking some classics, imparting a bit of our modern vibe and effects. As for this movie, Jackie Earle Haley, after his awesome performance as Rorschach, has earned my butt in a seat at this one. And, I will be there. Looking forward to seeing what he does with the role.
By lfhlaw at 6:35 PM ON 08/12/09
Well it could be interesting as Freddy has always been one of my favorite horror/slasher films. However, i am getting tired of remakes myself.
What's next?
Casablanca, Gone with the Wind?
By J at 9:56 PM ON 08/12/09
Can no one in Hollywood have a NEW idea Im sick fedup and pissed off of remakes and re-inveting. They just destory what was I good film/story to start with
By Fantastick at 3:44 PM ON 08/16/09
Ifhlaw and other remake haters: Don't be haters! I grew up in the 80s and loved the movies that came out but could hardly ever watch anything older because those movies are so dated. The stunts and special effects have come so far with or without CGI that remakes are a great way to spice up a proven money maker and a way to connect with a new generation. And don't be stupid J, nobody is holding a gun to your head to make you watch movies.
By schvevla at 8:00 PM ON 09/29/09
I think that remakes/reboots are a great thing. Don't get me wrong I liked the Nightmare movies when they came out. They scared me then. However, tastes change and when I watch them now they are just kind of quaint. They are totally dated and the special effects are cheesy. I agree that taking Freddy's humor away may not be the best thing because his jokes are part of what made the originals great. But then again giving him a more serious tone could make him a little more threatening. Either way I will be there to see this movie.
By NoWayNewNightmare at 3:01 PM ON 10/02/09
This is stealing. Just like that talentless excuse for a director, Rob Zombie, production companies steal success by using someone else's hard work. Come up with your own ideas and leave other peoples art alone.
By the muckster at 11:58 PM ON 10/02/09
I agree with those who are tired of remakes. The "haters" I guess, as one person put it. But I hate it for two reasons, One being that I know for a fact the only reason they do this is because they figure "well hey, these films made money in the 80's/70's so let's just take a familiar story and put some modern hip actor in it and watch the money roll in!". Nevermind the added fact that 9 times out of 10 the original is better. Which brings me to my 2nd point about why remakes suck..THE ORIGINALS ARE ALWAYS BETTER! I imagine there are plenty of writers out there with screenplays just waiting to be read and picked up by a studio. Alot of the movies that became successes in the 80's were totally new original ideas back then and they made money, why that formula doesn't work today in Hollywood is beyond me. Instead they have Will Smith's son and Jackie Chan working on a "Karate Kid" remake to add to the piles of crap they've been putting out for the last 15 years or so.
By the muckster at 11:59 PM ON 10/02/09
Oh yeah and one other thing, why is Michael Bay's name always attached in one way or another to these unoriginal projects??
Visit mobile.syfy.com/wire on your mobile device.
the muckster:
Oh yeah and one other thing, why is Michael Bay's name always attached in one way or another to these unoriginal pr...More »