One of the most successful horror franchises, A Nightmare on Elm Street, is going to be re-imagined set for a 2010 release.  What’s a re-imagining?  If you’ve seen the latest Friday the 13^th movie you can get an idea.  It isn’t exactly a remake, a sequel, or a prequel.  Which is no surprise considering that it is being produced by Platinum dunes, the same company involved in the latest Slasher flick.

These remakes are attracting the music video directors.  Samuel Bayer is set to direct this sure to be blockbuster, which is more than unconventional given this is his movie directorial debut.  However, he did work on Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, and as a product of the 90’s he has my vote.  But my attention quickly diverted to the character list.

My immediate response had been, “please tell me Robert Englund is returning.”  However, I am extremely let down after being informed that he is not.  The new Fred Kreuger has a huge blade wielding glove to fill.  Now, considering that Johnny Depp had his cinematic debut, you’d think that he would want a piece of the action in this film.  It had been rumored that he might even play Freddy Krueger, none the less; Platinum Dunes shut that rumor out stating that they have a modest budget and don’t seek to hire any of the original cast.  I like Depp, I think he does things for more than just the money, just that kind of guy, and if I had such a large career as him… I’d want in on where it all started.

There is only one last name to mention, the creator, Wes Craven.  You’d think since this had been his career launcher he would want to ensure its integrity, right?  If he isn’t directing, what about a production or writer spot?  Well, we’re told that the closest Wes will get is a co-producer spot, maybe enough to guarantee this won’t be a flop (as if it could).

The only characters set to make a return are Nancy and Freddy, the others will all be new to the script.  Another unclear aspect is the storyline, with Friday the 13^th it fell somewhere just after the beginning.  Freddy is set to stage in modern times, not the 80’s, but there will be flashbacks to when he was the Springwood Slasher. 

For  all of you out there that made the connection; Friday the 13^th and A Nightmare on Elm Street are being produced by the same company and they were pitted against one another in Freddy vs Jason but they aren’t going to ruin these classics by showing any of that in the remakes.    

For me, 2010 couldn’t come any sooner.  All the new kiddies who don’t know of Freddy’s name are going to get a big surprise and we are going to have to deal with nobody wanting to go to sleep for a couple months again; for fear of this insane dream-killer.