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The New Krueger on Elm Street: Jackie Earle Haley


Source: Ryan Rotten, Managing Editor
February 22, 2010


Only a few iconic monsters of cinema have consistently been portrayed by the same actor. Those patient souls have endured an arduous transformation in the make-up chair, sequels of arguable merit and hours on the set under the punishing glow of lights. Frankenstein, the Mummy, Michael Myers, Leatherface and Jason Voorhees don't apply as sundry actors and stunt men have slipped into their brutalized skin. However, you speak of the classic Wolf Man, Pinhead or Freddy Krueger. Now that's the ticket. During their original incarnations on the big screen, each was played by indomitable Lon Chaney, Jr., Doug Bradley and the Robert Englund, respectively. The latter essayed his role eight times (!) on the big screen in addition to numerous appearances on television. And while his streak as the bastard son of a hundred maniacs will forever haunt our nightmares, it has come to an end.

That realization couldn't be made any more clear as this longtime Krueger fan sees Jackie Earle Haley stride onto the set of Platinum Dunes' A Nightmare on Elm Street, the company's latest rebooting of a horror franchise rolling cameras in Chicago four months after their Friday the 13th took in a cool $60 million opening weekend. Haley's in full make-up, though from Shock Till You Drop's perch on set, it's hard to study the fine details. He's a walking signature with that tattered hat and red and green sweater, an identity feared and embraced in pop culture that is further defined when the actor slides on a familiar razor-fingered glove. The metamorphosis is complete.

There's Freddy Krueger.

Haley is restrained. You can tell he's working things out in his head. Sure, he's short but, strangely, it heightens the "creep" factor. He holds his claw at his side, fingers extending, retracting, extending… About as handy with it as an Iron Chef is adept with the knives in his kitchen. On the way from the make-up trailer to the set, Haley's guise is covered from prying photographers lurking beyond the soundstage's chain-link fence trying to get a snapshot of the man who would be carrying the tradition of being cinema's most feared dream-stalking bogeyman.

The search for a new Krueger was an unenviable one that would be laden with rumors (Billy Bob Thornton became the subject of one lame joke) and fan petitions. Ultimately, it was Little Children and Watchmen star Haley who bravely committed to the role. "We were looking to have the best possible actors that we could find," says Platinum Dunes producer Brad Fuller, commenting on the pedigree of film Nightmare has become with the actor's involvement. "There are actors in our cast here who passed [on this film] before Jackie and became interested after Jackie."

Producer Andrew Form adds: "It's amazing to watch him. It seems to happen on our movies a lot where you think he's the guy and then, finally, when he comes out in the make-up and you see him down there doing his lines, you can't believe that he's the guy. Even Derek Mears in Friday the 13th - when we first met Derek we thought he was going to be an amazing Jason, but for us we couldn't believe how good he was, how amazing he was to work with and what he did with that movie for us. It's very similar in this."

After a few takes under the direction of Sam Bayer (here making his feature debut with Platinum Dunes), Haley sits down with Shock allowing me to see him up close and in full light.

He's disgusting.

Moreover, Haley's face is fascinating. A portrait of a car wreck only curiosity keeps you from turning away from. Eschewing the various meatball looks of Krueger that were applied to Englund through his term, make-up FX artist Andrew Clement has embraced the tragic and real scarring of a burn victim. The nostrils hovering above his lips are a reminder that there used to be a full nose there. One of his cheeks is speckled with vibrant green paint, markers for the CG artists who will come in during post-production and add meatier signs of skin loss akin to what was done to Aaron Eckhart in The Dark Knight.

Haley's Krueger is a departure from the original, no doubt about that, but this embodiment that sits before us retains the spirit which is what Haley is hoping for.

"Robert Englund's done an amazing job over the years playing Freddy," Haley says. "Everybody that's a fan of Nightmare loves Robert, so that's a challenge when you've got to step in a big man's shoes like that. It's scary, but it's also exciting. You can't please everybody. All I can do is really just try to work from the heart and do the best job at playing Freddy that I can and hope for the best."

Scary, exciting, but also daunting, he admits. Similar to how he felt slipping under the cloth mask of Rorschach, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' anti-hero; yet no other actor had played that character on the screen before Zack Snyder's film came along. The pressure of fan expectations are palpable to Haley. In talking to him, however, one can tell he's not letting that inform his performance. Instead, other factors are helping him with that, notably the make-up.

"It's torturous for me," he sighs. "It's just a long time in the chair. Wearing this stuff, my ears are killing me and it pulls down on the back of my neck. I have to eat Advil, but, at the same time, it's kind of odd, man. It's like the best Freddy research and motivation shit I could do is sit in that torturous chair for three and a half hours and I'm ready to throw the glove on and start slicing just about anybody." A grin begins to emerge through the latex. "It's almost like I'm wondering if I can even play this character if [the make-up] wasn't on." But of course he can. Because he has to. After all, the film promises to give us a taste of Fred Krueger before he's burned alive by an angry mob of parents for, in this reboot's case, reasons the producers are not willing to talk about: Child molester or not? Haley won't say either.

Whatever the case, the actor confesses his take on Krueger is a work in progress and Shock is catching him "in the middle" of his character discovery, a telling sign this self-described compartmental actor isn't writing the role off. Right now, he can't even give us a taste of what his Krueger will sound like (this was the same situation when I interviewed him on the set of Watchmen and asked to “hear" Rorschach). That, he says, will come about through "thinkubation." "In terms of the posture, the voice, things like that, it's not about sitting down and trying voices - although sometimes you do that. It's just about working with the material, thinking about it and sometimes things will happen while you're just driving your car. It's when you're not thinking about it, all of a sudden stuff bubbles up. It's like knowing to allow the subconscious do some of that work."

Physical objects do play their part, too. He takes the Krueger glove home with him so he can get the feel of it. For Haley, without a doubt, Krueger is serious business.

"This version of Freddy is focusing [on] less camp and a little bit more of the scarier side. There's a little more focus on, what makes this guy who he is?" Haley pauses for emphasis. It's a bit spooky and you're not sure whether to look him in the eye or keep gawking at that make-up. "There's a bit of a deeper kind of look at him. In my research I really started to delve into serial killers. I was studying Ed Kemper. They did a movie on him. It was a total slasher movie. It kind of pissed me off. And that's when I realized I'm playing a bogeyman, you know? That's what I'm really trying to embrace, but at the same time find out what makes this bogeyman tick. I think that when you start to get a sense of what makes somebody tick and you realize that [his] clock is kind of ticking out of whack, that's scary. That scares me in this world."

"I think it's really important that Robert Englund and New Line have done such a fine job over the years of creating this world and this character," he continues. "It's fun to re-envision that but at the same time we need to remain true to a point of who Freddy is and what the franchise kind of represents. It's neat to get to re-envision it but at the same time you don't want to go so far that we've left what makes [the franchise] so cool and bitchin'."

Haley as Krueger is here to stay. Although it is admittedly surreal to see anyone else other than Englund play the part. Will he work? That's anyone's guess. If a new generation of horror fans embrace him, he is signed for inevitable sequels - another commitment Haley mulled over. "I definitely had to think about it. It just kind of boiled down to: How do you not play Freddy Krueger? It's just such a cool project. Such an iconic character and such a cool challenge. Clearly, I wasn't thinking about all of this shit glued to my head, but it was too cool not to do, man."

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Comments

Posted by: Space on February 22, 2010 at 12:44:04

Unlike most of the haters that leave comments on this site, I'm looking forward to this one in a big way.

I think Haley will do a tremendous job as Freddy and I'll offer up my opinion on the movie once I've actually seen it.

I'll be there opening weekend without a doubt.

Posted by: SapGoblin on February 22, 2010 at 12:44:14

well...I'm really warming up to Haley after Watchmen, Human Target- ad just caught him in Shutter Island. I've thought since the beginning that he seems short for Krueger...but I'm looking forward to the end result!

Posted by: Matthew J Williams on February 22, 2010 at 12:52:51

Everything Haley has done in the past few years has been fantastic (though I'll admit I haven't seen Shutter Island yet).
What sets this horror remake apart from the others is that it has a real actor in the lead role, instead of some stupid stunt man or body builder.
And that will make it phenomenal. Sequels galore with Haley would be phenomenal, though making a kick-ass "The Final Nightmare" would be more praise-worthy in my opinion. Keeping this franchise above water takes planning, and I hope this reboot has it down right.

Posted by: djblack1313 on February 22, 2010 at 13:33:59

i concur that Haley is an amazing actor (it's BS that he didn't nominated in the upcoming 36th Saturn Sci/Horror Awards for WATCHMEN. yet other actors from that did?!). i'm up for this remake/reboot. and i LOVE that Katie's part was beefed up (as opposed to the smaller original Tina role). Katie is awesome!

Posted by: Kane Von Doom on February 22, 2010 at 13:52:09

Rad.... This gives me new hope for the franchise reboot. It sounds really sincere. I'm rooting for Mr. Haley

Posted by: RomeroSon on February 22, 2010 at 13:52:18

Cant wait to see this fu***** movie! FREDDY LIVES!

Posted by: Ziggy on February 22, 2010 at 13:58:16

You'll all forget it a day after watching it. Haley is fine but Platinum Dunes always delivers a craptarded film. They are incompetent.

Real horror fans wont watch this garbage.

Posted by: mike10088 on February 22, 2010 at 14:47:05

actually ziggy i disagree.. i think "real horror fans" as you call them will go see this movie, anyone that grew up with freddy as their favorite villain or the elm st series as their favorite will want to see this because how cold you not? i get ppl who were or are worried about englund not playing the role, because i was also, but its over with, the movie will go on with or without your help with haley in the spot, but dont resent a movie just because of it. Im not telling everyone to go see this movie because it will be the best ever, im just saying its something new something a little different then were used to and it might turn out good, the only way to know is to try it, but dont be one of those people that will talk **** without even seeing the movie, because thats not being a "real horror fan". do you know how many **** movies horror fans go through to try to find those rare gems or something new? i take it not, you seem to see a preview or read an interview and write it off before the movie is even out, and even then u seem to not want to go see it...and again thats fine, but if thats how you feel then whats the point of clicking on this link with the headline : "the new krueger on elm street"

Posted by: djblack1313 on February 22, 2010 at 16:39:46

mike10088, well said.

Posted by: dude on February 22, 2010 at 18:04:34

"Real horror fans won't watch this garbage,"...um, what? You're telling me real horror fans aren't going to watch "A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET"? You know what, I think a revision of that statement is in order.

Real horror fans won't watch this film with a predetermined opinion. Real horror fans won't watch this film already believing that it's garbage, or that it's amazing, beforehand. Real horror fans will give it a chance to prove itself. Most importantly, real horror fans have an open mind, and are aware that the best of horror stories are told again and again and again, and always have been.

Posted by: Winchester on February 22, 2010 at 18:17:10

"Real horror fans won't watch this garbage."

I bet there was someone just like you who said this before "The Thing" and "The Fly" remakes came out.

Whoops. Not saying you're going to be right or wrong, but a certain closed-mindedness just sucks.

And when you say "real horror fans," you sound like a pretentious ass.

Posted by: MrAmerica on February 22, 2010 at 19:34:19

Instant douchebagery alert for anyone who tries to tell anyone else what a "real horror fan" is. Like what you like stop whining and give it all the hate IF it sucks.

Posted by: Ryan Rotten, Managing Editor on February 22, 2010 at 19:47:52

Whatever happened to: Like what you like and who gives a damn what anyone else thinks? If the love of horror is there, then there you go...

Posted by: ronniemick on February 22, 2010 at 20:08:46

If, by "real horror fans", you mean " elitist tw*t who has taken it upon himself to determine who gets to hang in the 'cool kids club' "... then, yeah, you're probably right, they won't go see ELM STREET 2010.

Me? I believe in taking a chance. It could suck, but I'm sure as hell gonna find out on my own, and leave the psychic predictions to "the experts". This "real horror fan" stuff is elitist, exclusionary and most of all, tired.

Posted by: .44 Winchester on February 22, 2010 at 22:18:55

I have absolute faith in Haley, the guy is a tremendous actor, and I think if you're going to recast the role then that really is a great choice for a replacement Freddy.

But I don't have faith in the movie because I don't have faith in the people behind the movie, simple as that. Their past work has made me think of them as hacks, and in interviews they often come across as total douches (some more than others).

I also have serious issues with the idea of sticking so close to the original material in so far as recreating so many scenes almost verbatim direct from the original film. Yes, I agree with keeping certain character elements intact, but I just think they should be remaking the idea and concept and putting their own spin on it, rather than redoing what has already been done, only slightly shinier. I just don't see a lot of value in that approach.

That said, of course I'll see it, and I'm open to giving it a chance, but my hopes aren't all that high to be honest.

Also, anyone who ever tells anyone else that they aren't a "true fan" simply because they have different views or opinions is an utter douche, and that is an absolute and unflinching fact.

Posted by: Jakarah on February 23, 2010 at 02:44:44

I feel like I'm a 'real horror fan', but not by Ziggy's definition.

I've seen everything from "Microwave Massacre" to "The Ring"/"Ringu". Thousands and thousands of B Movies full of the original scream queens of the 70's and 80's. If you cannot sit through all 14+ hours of each "Horrorfest" collection, then you are not even close to being a true "Horror Fan" Garbage is our world in finding the needle in the pit of doom.

"Killer Klowns from Outer Space" 5+ stars. lol

Posted by: Gary on February 23, 2010 at 07:20:53

If I may...

I'M GOING TO WATCH THIS MOVIE AND SO ARE YOU, ZIGGY, AND SO IS EVERYONE ELSE. USER "DUDE" SAID IT BEST: IT'S A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. OF COURSE WE'RE GOING TO WATCH IT. MAYBE EVEN TWICE IN THEATERS. IT'S THE BEST, MOST INTERESTING HORROR ANGLE OF ALL TIME -- BY FAR! SO PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHUT THE FUKK UP.

Posted by: Dedguy on February 23, 2010 at 09:01:22

I have to throw in another two cents worth of "give it a chance". I wasn't really interested in this at all until they brought in Haley. Now, I'm pretty psyched. Even if the movie sucks, he'll be the best part of it.

I'm willing to give them a shot.

Posted by: omgdudewtf on February 23, 2010 at 20:24:29

well said ryan. well said.

cant wait for this movie.
true friday remake was crap, to me at least.
but then again im not the biggest friday the 13th fan. but i love freddy. i grew up with freddy.
its time to see haley strut his stuff.
definatly in line come 4/30

Posted by: txhsfball on February 27, 2010 at 00:14:41

Gary..Most intresting horror angle of all time? lol. No. That goes to Hellraiser and the cenobites.

Posted by: Lee Swift on March 23, 2010 at 12:01:09

Hi There is only one man who is Freddy Krueger and that is Robert Englund he started it and should have finished it SWEET DREAMS MY CHILDREN HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by: Roy on May 1, 2010 at 09:10:11

I watched this movie last night and it was awesome. Jackie Earle Haley did a tremendous job. I Have no complaints they changed the movie and made it their own and The new Freddy is definitively something to see. I Think he just might be a little scarier than Robert Englund's version.

Posted by: Matthead on May 1, 2010 at 15:33:04

That movie was wonderful. The callbacks from the original series were priceless and wonerfully twisted into a new nightmare. A few times I went from "Oh, come on. Thats not right!" to an unexpected "Whoa, That was way cooler!" My lady and I are Big Time fans of Robert Englund and the entire Nightmare series, and I think that Haley did Awesome. The makeup also looked so much more realistic and disturbing. I think that the most important part is that Haley made Freddy terrifying, and not so damned goofy, or cocky. It kept true to the original character. No giant slimy worm eating you whole. No strange spoon glove, or robo glove. Just Fred Krueger and his vengance. ANYONE WHO SEES THIS NEEDS TO GO SEE THE MOVIE!

YOU'RE ALREADY AT THE SITE! DON'T MISS OUT!.

Posted by: meh on May 14, 2010 at 17:36:44

what the hell are you ppl talking about, the movied sucked monkey ballz, was atrocious, and rorschach wasnt as good as I thought, this is my opinion thought so...

Posted by: My Left Eye Sees Ghosts on May 14, 2010 at 18:23:37

Not really one for remakes but I thought this one looked really good. But I left the theatre disappointed. Jackie was great as Freddy and I totally liked the character compared to Englunds Freddy, but the rest was just rather dull, very predictable, I found the cast totally unlikable and the direction bland. Just my 2 cents.

I do recommend Ryan Nicholson's "Hanger" if your looking for something vile, disgusting, very politically incorrect, funny and downright nasty.

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