2010 Preview: A Nightmare on Elm Street
Release Date: April 30

Studio: Warner Brothers (New Line)

Genre: Horror

Director: Samuel Bayer

Writer: Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer (based off characters by Wes Craven)

Cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara, Kyle Gallner, Katie Cassidy, Thomas Dekker, Kellan Lutz, Clancy Brown, Connie Britton

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Analysis: Michael and Jason were resurrected with recent remakes, now it's time for Freddy, the last of the three major horror villains from the 1980's. And it's all courtesy of producer Michael Bay, who not only brought Jason back with Friday the 13th (2009), but also The Amityville Horror and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the movie that ramped up the horror remake craze.





Last February, the Friday the 13th remake stormed on to the scene with a $40.6 million opening, but quickly bled out, tallying $65 million by the end of its run. Halloween (2007) lived a little longer but started smaller: $26.4 million opening on its way to $58.3 million. Freddy has been successfully brought out of retirement before with Freddy Vs. Jason in 2003. That picture raked in $36.4 million out of the gate and closed with $82.6 million.





A key difference between Freddy and Jason/Michael is that Freddy talked, not just stalked, and was memorably portrayed by Robert Englund. For audiences, it's much easier to replace an essentially faceless killing machine like Jason or Michael, which also may be why it's taken longer for Nightmare to be remade. To that end, Jackie Earle Haley, who's recently been building his credentials with roles in Little Children and Watchmen, was cast as Freddy.





At any rate, if the new Nightmare follows the same path as the other remakes, it's likely to be a one-week wonder, but perhaps making enough to justify a sequel.

Related Stories:

'Friday the 13th' Hacks Up Top Spot

'Halloween' Severs Labor Day Record

'Horror' Takes Toll on Tax Weekend



Similar Movies: Friday the 13th (2009), Halloween (2007), The Amityville Horror (2005), Black Christmas (2006), My Bloody Valentine 3-D, Prom Night (2008), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Freddie Vs. Jason, A Nightmare on Elm Street



Related Charts: Franchise: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Horror Remake, Showdown: Horror Revival Rip-Off, Horror - Slasher

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2010 Preview