Freddy Krueger’s Robert Englund, 75, reveals why he won’t play antagonist again, picks successor
Freddy Krueger actor Robert Englund, 75, reveals why he won’t be playing the antagonist of Nightmare On Elm Street again…
Robert Englund – who is best known for playing horror villain Freddy Kruger in the Nightmare On Elm Street films – has revealed that he has hung up his gauntlet of knives and chosen who to replace him with.
The 75-year-old actor reflected on his 50-year career as he said he will no longer play the antagonist he made famous in eight feature films, a documentary reported. Variety on Tuesday.
According to the publication, in his upcoming documentary Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story, he says, “I’m too old and fat to play Freddy now.
“I just can’t do fight scenes more than one take anymore, I have a bad neck and bad back and arthritis in my right wrist. So I have to hang it up, but I’d love to play along.’
Robert played the Springwood Slasher in all eight Nightmare at Elm Street films. He last played the villain in the crossover movie Freddy Vs. Jason.
Interesting: Robert Englund – who is best known for playing horror villain Freddy Kruger in the Nightmare On Elm Street movies – has revealed that he has hung up his gauntlet of knives and made his choice of who to replace him with
He’s revealed who he’d like to replace him in the franchise and the answer is a bit surprising considering he mentioned Kevin Bacon.
The talented star explained, “I know he respects the genre, and he’s such a fine physical actor.
“I think in the silences and in the way Kevin moves – it would be interesting.”
Englund – who first starred as an antagonist in 1984’s A Nightmare On Elm Street – was honest about his “icon status” in the documentary, according to Variety.
He explained, “I know who icons are. I’m not an icon. Maybe Freddy Krueger is, but not me. I’m just a character actor, a good actor who was very lucky.’
The son of a nun who was raped by 100 maniacs, Freddy hunted young people during their nightmares and killed them in their sleep.
He was instantly recognizable by his melted face, brown fedora hat and red and green striped sweater – along with his deadly razor blade glove.
The original 1984 film starred a 21-year-old Johnny Depp, while part three – Dream Warriors – featured an 18-year-old Patricia Arquette.
Going further: The 75-year-old actor reflected on his 50-year career as he said he will no longer play the antagonist he made famous in eight feature films in a documentary that came out Tuesday on Variety; he is seen in Spain in October
According to the publication, in his upcoming documentary Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story, he says, “I’m too old and fat to play Freddy now. “I just can’t do fight scenes more than one take anymore, I have a bad neck and bad back and arthritis in my right wrist. So I gotta hang it up, but I’d like to cameo’; he can be seen in the original 1984 A Nightmare On Elm Street
Final bow: Robert played the Springwood Slasher in all eight Nightmare at Elm Street movies. He last portrayed the villain in the crossover movie Freddy Vs. Jason
He’s back: Englund recently reprized his role as Freddy in a 2018 episode of The Goldbergs
The franchise was rebooted in 2010 with Watchmen’s Jackie Earle Haley pulling the gauntlet.
He starred alongside Rooney Mara, Kellan Lutz and Katie Cassidy.
Despite being a commercial success, earning $115 million on a $35 million budget, the film was panned by critics.
Englund most recently reprized his role as Freddy in a 2018 episode of The Goldbergs.
He still continues to work as he starred as Victor Creel in an episode of Stranger Things last year.