Final Destinationstar Devon Sawa has put himself forward as the next iteration of horror movie monsterFreddy Kruegerfollowing actor Robert Englund’s recent declaration that he will not reprise the role again. Taking tosocial media, Sawa stated that he would “love to follow in his footsteps and play [Freddy],” whenever Warner Bros. Pictures decides to reawaken theNightmare on Elm Streetfranchise.
Sawa is of course no stranger to the world of horror. The actor is well-known for leading the first installment in another iconic series,Final Destination, and more recently has played a recurring role in the resurrection ofChucky. And that’s without mentioning the likes ofIdle Hands, Black Friday, Hunter Hunter, The Exorcism of Molly Hartleyand, of course,Casper. But, how do Freddy Krueger fans feel about the casting idea?
While Sawa has now thrown his worn-out fedora into the ring as the next Freddy Krueger, horror icon andA Nightmare on Elm Streetstar Robert Englund has already made his choice for who should next take on the role of the nightmarish killer:Footlooseactor Kevin Bacon. “I know he respects the genre, and he’s such a fine physical actor,” Englund said of Bacon. “I think that in the silences and in the way Kevin moves — it would be interesting.”
This is far from the first time that Englund has name-dropped Bacon as the next Freddy, with theMystic RiverandX-Men: First Classstar Kevin Bacin himselfhaving responded to the ideain the past. “Never say never. I mean, I say, “Never say never,” but I really do follow that. There’s very few things that I go, “Nah, nah.” You just never know,” Bacon said.
RELATED:Here’s Why Kevin Bacon Should Play Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street Reboot
Robert Englund Is Done With Playing Freddy Krueger, Knows How to Reboot the Franchise
A Nightmare on Elm Streetlegend Robert Englund revealed during the upcoming documentary,Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story, that he is done playing the role of Freddy Krueger. And it’s largely due to his age. “I’m too old and thick to play Freddy now,”the actor said. “I just can’t do fight scenes for more than one take anymore, I’ve 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.”
In his usual, humble way, Englund declared that he was never the horror icon, and rather it is Freddy who holds that title. “I know who icons are,” he continued. “I’m not an icon. Maybe Freddy Krueger is, but I’m not. I’m just a character actor, a utility actor who’s been very lucky.”
While he won’t return,Englund does have his own approachregarding how theNightmare on Elm Streetfranchise could be rebooted. Instead of attempting to recreate the first movie (something that has been done before – with disappointing results) Englund thinks the studio would be best to revive one of the sequels instead. “I certainly think that they should reboot [A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors], because 3 has a ‘previously onNightmare on Elm Street’ sense to it, and it reunites everybody, and it is the fan favorite,” he explained. “I think if you took a poll or a vote, you’d find out more people likeDream Warriorsthan any other film. And it’s a good script. The original script for that is terrific, and if you look at who wrote it, those people have Oscars now.”
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Storyis due to be released via Screambox and Digital outlets on August 15, 2025.
