When it comes to movies, we live in a world of tent pole franchises, sequels, re-imaginings, and reboots. These films are done to varying success and some perform better than others. Like any movie, it comes down to story, direction, and acting. You nail those three things, then you can make a pretty entertaining film…even if it is a reboot.

One movie currently being discussed as a potential reboot patient is the iconic 80s horror film, A Nightmare on Elm Street. This particular movie is not a stranger to the reboot treatment, as a version was released in 2010 starring Jackie Earle Haley as the iconic Freddy Krueger. Needless to say, this particular reboot fell flat for a lot of fans and did not come anywhere close to the success of the original. This was due in part to the man wearing the striped sweater, Jackie Earle Haley, who played Freddy as a darker, more sinister slasher, as opposed to the Robert Englund’s more evilly playful and sarcastic version.

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When casting such an iconic character in a reboot, much care must be taken. With talk of another reboot on the horizon, one actor’s name has been floating around as a possible heir to the Krueger’s thrown. That would be iconic ’80s and ’90s actor Kevin Bacon. While it is extremely difficult to picture anyone else as Freddy Krueger outside Englund, if we had to pick anyone to replace him, Bacon would be at the top of the list. The actor himself has even shown interest when responding to rumors. Let’s examine why Kevin Bacon should play Freddy Krueger in the inevitable reboot and take on a character so scary that it even gave Robert Englund himself nightmares.

Back to His Horror Roots

You don’t have to venture too far in Kevin Bacon’s resume to find a horror connection. One of his first starring roles came in the 1980 horror classic Friday the 13th. What started as a low budget response film to John Carpenter’s Halloween, director Sean Cunningham would go on to craft a movie that would become iconic in the horror genre, produce countless sequels, and give birth to another legendary slasher, Jason Voorhees. Kevin Bacon found himself as one of the teenage campers who fell victim to a revenge fueled Pamela Voorhees, spoiler alert for a 42-year-old movie.

Bacon would go on to star in numerous other horror projects including; Tremors, Flatliners, and The Darkness, just to name a few. He is an actor that is not afraid to dive into a genre that so often gets a bad reputation from movie critics. Having featured and flourished in horror, Bacon’s reputation proceeds him when discussing his potential to play Freddy Krueger. What could be better than Bacon’s career coming full circle in the horror genre. From the murdered teenage camper, to the iconic, demonic, dream hunting Freddy Krueger.

A Turn to the Dark Side

     Peacock

When most people think of Kevin Bacon, their minds tend to go directly to his performances as Ren in Footloose and Valentine in Tremors. Movies in which Bacon is the likable protagonist, and some just simply cannot picture him playing someone as evil as Freddy. Despite that, he has had his fair share of villainous roles throughout his career. Hollow Man, X-Men: First Class, and The River Wild, are just a few examples of Bacon unleashing his sinister side.

A more recent example of this is 2022s They/Them, which takes Kevin Bacon back to summer camp and furthers the evolution of the slasher film. Bacon has shown he has the ability to go to the dark side when need be and on the occasion be downright evil. Something he, or any actor, would need to play the Springwood Slasher.

Damn Good Fun

     Paramount Pictures

Let’s face it, Kevin Bacon as Freddy Krueger is one of those casting ideas that sounds ridiculously fun to see play out on screen. He is a beloved actor by generations of movie fans and not nearly featured as much in big name films as he used to be. To see him put on the red and green striped sweater, worn fedora, and bladed glove, would be a delight for horror fans. Especially those horror fans of the 80s, an era in which he thrived as an actor. As Freddy Krueger, Bacon would be burnt to a crisp and entertaining as hell.

A Nightmare on Elm Street is revered by its fans and is a milestone film in the horror genre. Any reboot should be treated with care with the casting of Freddy priority number one. Kevin Back would bring gravitas back to the role and help to bring a worthy reboot to the silver screen.