Robert Englund starred in one of the most revered science fiction series of all time; hes directed films; voiced video game characters; and acted in scores of movies and shows. But hes aware that his legacy is playing horror icon Freddy Krueger in eight Nightmare on Elm Street films and a TV series. An upcoming documentary Hollywood Dreams Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story, out June 6 dives into Englunds unique silver screen journey, of which he is self-effacing.
I know who icons are, he says. Im not an icon. Maybe Freddy Krueger is, but Im not. Im just a character actor, a utility actor whos been very lucky.
Perhaps the most surprising chapter of Englunds story happens early on, when he was frequently adjacent to 70s blockbusters. From reading for Han Solo in Star Wars and urging his roommate Mark Hamill to audition for Luke Skywalker, to gathering dead leaves to turn Pasadena, Calif. into a Midwest street for Halloween, Englund got his big break as Willie in V, an alien franchise which aired episodes from 1983-1985.
During a break filming V, Englund auditioned for Wes Cravens horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street as a burned child killer who haunts Springwood, Ohio. A low-budget hit, sequel after sequel was greenlit, and Englund was pleased to see the horror genre get more respect as he continued the role.
I felt there was a cultural shift that people recognized, he says. Horror is the punk rock of cinema in its own way. There was a recognition of pulp as a great ingredient in our cultural world. Theres room for pulp and melodrama, and the door opened wider for horror.
Englund last portrayed his signature character on film in 2003s hit Freddy vs. Jason. Less than a decade later, Freddy was recast with Jackie Earle Haley playing him in 2010s remake of the 1984 Elm Street. While it was a financial hit, fans decried it as a series low, and another chapter was never made. Despite the horror communitys loyalty to Englund, hes fond of Haleys Freddy, and thinks there was one key change from the original which made things go off track.
Jackies just so good, a wonderful actor, so I dont think it was that, he says. Ive always thought that Freddy is described as a child killer. So when they made Freddy a child molester [in the remake], thats not what Freddy is, I dont think. By taking it to such a dark, dark place, theres no room for the personality of Freddy to be exploited.
While speaking with Englund, its impossible not to wonder if hes thought about the future of the franchise. Even though hes never written any of the films, he has an idea about how to bring Elm Street into modern times.
Youd have to deal with technology and culture, he says. For instance, if one of the girls was an influencer, it would be interesting for Freddy to somehow haunt her subconscious and manifest himself, perhaps exploit everybody that followed her.
Would he be willing to put on the fedora again for the right script? Im too old and thick to play Freddy now, Englund says. I just cant do fight scenes for more than one take anymore, Ive got a bad neck and bad back and arthritis in my right wrist. So I have to hang it up, but I would love to cameo.
Englunds pick for a modern Freddy? He was wowed by a fan who mentioned Kevin Bacon as a replacement.
I know he respects the genre, and hes such a fine physical actor, he says. I think that in the silences and in the way Kevin moves it would be interesting.
Robert Englunds Favorite Freddy Krueger Quotes
The villain is known for his one-liners and puns.
*Welcome to prime time, bitch! as Freddy smashes Jennifers head into a television in 1987s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
*I should warn you, princess the first time tends to get a little messy. as Freddy gets disgusting and gross and dark with Lori in 2003s Freddy vs. Jason.
*Im your boyfriend now. as Freddys tongue licks Nancy through the phone in 1984s A Nightmare on Elm Street.