Can A Second ‘A Nightmare On Elm Street’ Reboot Get It Right?

Yes, it’s true that another reboot of the 30-year-old A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise is on the way and, thankfully, this reboot will ignore the 2010 version of A Nightmare On Elm Street, just as so many hardcore fans of the series have done.

A Nightmare on Elm Street has its share of hardcore fans, as does any franchise, but while fans of those other franchise’s may just be clinging to what’s tried and tested in their favorite characters, there’s no denying that there is a bit more to it where A Nightmare on Elm Street is concerned.

The success of Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street depended heavily on the creation of the iconic Freddy Krueger, which took the culmination of great writing that combined unique characterization with zippy one-liners and combined it with the kind of actor who can really step into the role of Freddy Krueger and make him come alive. The 2010 reboot lacked all of that.

Now, fans of A Nightmare on Elm Street want to know what will make this reboot any different from the 2010 attempt, particularly considering the same studio, New Line Cinema, is responsible for all versions of the film.

While it’s still early in the pre-production process on the new A Nightmare on Elm Street reboot, there is some news on the creative side that may help fans decide whether a third incarnation of Freddy Krueger is worth checking out. The new reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street will be written by screenwriter David Leslie Johnson, who has also been tapped to pen the script for a Dungeons and Dragons film.

Mr. Johnson is not new to horror, and while some might argue that he’s nowhere near the calibre of Wes Craven, the creator and writer of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, David does have some notable titles under his belt. Primarily known for writing Red Riding Hood (2011) and Orphan (2009), Mr. Johnson has also been asked to do rewrites for The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist, which is still in pre-production as well.

Assuming David Leslie Johnson can write a frightening reboot that features a Freddy Krueger evil and witty enough to at least compete to the original A Nightmare on Elm Street villain, that still leaves the question of Robert Englund’s replacement. Who is out there talented enough to pick up that glove and terrify a new generation of sleepless teenagers?

Johnny Depp comes to mind.

[Featured image courtesy of New Line Cinema/A Nightmare On Elm Street]