Freddy Krueger is officially preparing for another return to the big screen. Paramount Pictures has secured the U.S. rights to Wes Craven’s original A Nightmare on Elm Street screenplay, paving the way for a brand-new film set in the iconic horror universe. The project marks the first major step in reviving one of horror’s most influential franchises under Paramount’s newly launched genre label, Paramount Primal.
The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, which confirmed that the rights were licensed from the Wes Craven estate, including Craven’s widow Iya Labunka and son Jonathan Craven. While story details remain under wraps, the upcoming feature has been described as being set in the universe A Nightmare on Elm Street and based on Craven’s original screenplay.
Wes Craven’s estate will help shape the franchise’s return
Unlike previous installments, the new film will be produced in collaboration with the Craven family. Labunka and Jonathan Craven will serve as producers alongside Marc Toberoff, the attorney who helped the estate reclaim the screenplay rights in 2019 under U.S. copyright law.
Reflecting on the announcement, Labunka said,
“We look forward to bringing the world of Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street to a new and completely engaged generation of fans.”
She added that Wes Craven would have been thrilled to see horror’s growing cultural recognition and concluded,
“We can’t wait for all of us to sit together in a dark theatre… as the next chapter of the Nightmare story unfolds.”
The project will be developed through Paramount Primal, a newly established label led by producers J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, whose previous credits include the acclaimed horror hit Barbarian.
A new chapter for one of horror’s biggest franchises
Lifshitz and Margules also expressed their excitement about taking on the legendary property. “We can’t remember a time before we were fans of Wes Craven,” they said, calling the opportunity “an honor beyond words.” The producers added that they hope to “bring a terrifying new nightmare to audiences everywhere, and to welcome Freddy home.”
Originally released in 1984, A Nightmare on Elm Street introduced audiences to Freddy Krueger, the dream-stalking killer known for his burned face, razor glove, and red-and-green sweater. The original film became a defining horror classic and launched a franchise spanning seven sequels, a 2010 reboot, a television series, comic books, novels, and extensive merchandise.
Although New Line Cinema previously controlled the franchise and continues to retain international rights, the Craven estate regained the U.S. screenplay rights in 2019. That legal victory made Paramount’s new adaptation possible.
With Paramount investing in genre filmmaking through its new Primal label and the Craven family directly involved in the production, the studio appears determined to introduce Freddy Krueger to a new generation while honoring the legacy of the original horror classic.