In 1984, horror-master Wes Craven famously introduced the world to Freddy Krueger, one of horror’s most frightening, conniving villains, and the central antagonist in the A Nightmare On Elm Street franchise. Freddy Krueger is the spirit of a serial killer who haunts his unsuspecting victims in their dreams and ultimately kills them. In doing so, these victims simultaneously die in the real world. Known for his terrifying appearance, Freddy notably dons a gloved hand with sharp razors latched on, a torn red-and-green striped sweater, and his trademark fedora. Thus, Freddy has become a recogzniable icon in the realm of horror, and indeed, is what nightmares are made of.
As many horror fans are aware, Robert Englund famously portrayed the dream-inhabiting killer in eight movies of the franchise, with critics and audiences alike referring to Englund as the king of horror icons. Recently, rumors about A Nightmare On Elm Street reboot have created echoes of speculation. This, of course, means the determination of who will portray the mangled face of the franchise, Freddy Krueger. In a 2020 interview with EW, Robert Englund expressed that he is “too long in the tooth” to reprise his role as Freddy. Englund has strongly stuck to his word, telling Inverse, “I’m too old, they gotta find somebody new.” Before an official reboot announcement is confirmed, let’s take a look at which actors could replace Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger.
RELATED: Robert Englund Says He’s Too Old for Freddy, Has a Great Elm Street Cameo Idea Instead
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5 Rhys Wakefield
Blumhouse Productions
At just 33-years-old, the Australian actor is the youngest on this list, though he presents a profound likability for the role. Wakefield gained notability for his significant roles in both Australian soap opera Home and Away and HBO’s True Detective, both of which earned him worthy praise. Additionally, the gifted actor has indulged in his fair share within the genres of thriller and horror, with roles in Sanctum and The Purge franchise. The latter performance remains one of his most famous and thus, has earned him a great deal of critical praise as the creepy, unsettling Polite Leader figure. For many Freddy fans, Rhys Wakefield possesses the particular “look” that Englund famously popularized. With his ability to deliver stand-out performances as disturbing characters, and at such a young age, the role of Freddy Krueger could be in his future.
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4 Paul Dano
The gifted American actor’s career continues to climb amidst his recent casting as The Riddler in The Batman (2022). Before this impressive landing, the 37-year-old actor received numerous accolades for his roles in 12 Years A Slave, There Will Be Blood and Little Miss Sunshine. The acclaimed actor also featured in Prisoners and underwent his directorial debut with Wildlife. Considered relatively underrated, he adds a certain element to his characters and constantly delivers unforgettable performances at the helm of great scripts. He undoubtedly shines in the roles that he signs on for, and is often regarded as a versatile actor with poise and control of any scene that he appears in. With an impressive resume under his belt, taking on the role of Freddy Krueger after the Riddler would only aid in his reputation as a strong actor.
3 Richard Brake
BBC Studios
Widely recognized as a character actor, Welsh-born American actor Richard Brake has culminated an illustrious career of memorable roles. Brake’s most popular credits include Batman Begins, Absentia, Peaky Blinders and Game of Thrones as the Night King. Discussions surrounding Brake as a possible future Freddy began when critics and audiences praised his role in 31, with further speculation looming after the actor was cast in Rob Zombie’s Munsters reboot. From then, the rumors were fueled by the actor’s obvious voice control, the perfect physical appearance for Freddy and his willingness to fully embody a character. Upon his methodical character acting, Brake has quickly become a household name in the realm of cinema. With his assumed dedication to the role of Freddy Krueger, if ever offered the esteemed role, many believe that it will be solely taken care of in his hands.
2 Willem Dafoe
Sony Pictures
As the oldest actor on this list, Dafoe has masterfully built an impressive body of work over the course of his staggering career. As the recipient of numerous accolades, Dafoe is arguably one of the greatest living actors at this time. The 66-year old actor is perhaps best known for his portrayal as Dr. Norman Osborn / The Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. Most recently, the acclaimed actor delivered breathtaking performances in At Eternity’s Gate and The Lighthouse. The latter performance gave credibility to Dafoe’s inclusion within the horror and psychological genres. With his particular smile, voice and general appearance, many fans believe that Dafoe presents the opportunity to add a darker, more psychological element to the role of Freddy Krueger.
RELATED: Robert Englund Would Do One More Elm Street, But Wants Kevin Bacon as New Freddy
1 Kevin Bacon
Universal Pictures
On paper, 63 year-old Kevin Bacon seems like an unexpected replacement for the role as the dream-evading killer. Nevertheless, A Nightmare On Elm Street fans have long been pining for the esteemed actor to lead a future reboot of the franchise. Arguably, Bacon’s most notable role comes as the dancing teen in 1984’s Footloose. The American actor went on to deliver memorable performances in JFK and A Few Good Men. However, Bacon’s undisputed contributions to the horror genre have placed his name at the top of the list when it comes to the infamous role of Freddy Krueger. In fact, Bacon’s appearance in Friday the 13th (1980) keeps him in close connection with the character of Krueger, having encountered one of the horror villain’s enemies, which sparked Freddy Vs. Jason in 2003. Additionally, Freddy Krueger star Robert Englund has even expressed his interest in Kevin Bacon taking on the role. Therefore, the decorated actor stands tall as the clear favorite for a potential reboot.
