‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Actors Discuss Exciting Possibilities for Anime Adaptation

The original A Nightmare on Elm Street, released in 1984 and directed by Wes Craven, completely reshaped the horror genre. Its blend of supernatural elements with slasher tropes set it apart from the likes of Halloween and Friday the 13th.

At the heart of the film was Freddy Krueger (played by Robert Englund), a sadistic character who has become a lasting figure in horror. The film’s exploration of the fragility of sleep and the boundaries between dreams and reality captivated audiences like no other slasher film.

The original A Nightmare on Elm Street spawned numerous sequels and a remake in 2010. Englund reprised his role throughout the sequels, contributing to Freddy Krueger’s evolving persona, however, the 2010 remake, while commercially successful, faced criticism from fans for straying away from the style of the 1984 film and recasting the iconic dream demon.

Related: Brand-New ‘Elm Street’ Sequel Is Now Available to Watch Online!

Now, Robert Englund and Heather Langenkamp have expressed their enthusiasm about the idea of creating an anime adaptation of A Nightmare on Elm Street.

In an interview with ComicBook.com, Englund, who appeared as Freddy Krueger in eight films and a TV series, agreed that there’s a lot of potential for the franchise in animation.

“That’s a great idea,” Englund said in response to the interview putting forward the idea of the series getting an anime installment. “Let’s go for it. We’ll have lunch! No, no, that’s a great idea. Well, you know, Freddy’s made appearances in some sophisticated games, but I’m thinking that would be a great idea. A nice, dark, animated Nightmare on Elm Street.”

Watch the full interview here.

Related: How to Watch the ‘Elm Street’ Movies, Including the Reboot and TV Series

While the idea of an anime reboot is appealing, Elm Street fans are highly protective of the franchise, which makes it essential for a reboot to be respectful of the source material. There’s also potential for backlash from horror purists. Any deviation from established norms may spark discord among devotees who hold the original film in high regard.

With all that said, neither Englund nor Langenkamp are likely to return to lend their vocal talents to reprise their roles as Freddy Krueger and Nancy Thompson, respectively. For now, the future of A Nightmare on Elm Street remains unknown.

Would you like to see an anime Elm Street reboot or a prequel? Or perhaps an anime prequel? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments down below!