Robert Englund Praises Underrated Nightmare on Elm Street Directors
Legendary actor Robert Englund, best known for his portrayal of Freddy Krueger, has revealed which filmmakers from the long-running horror series he holds in the highest regard. His comments came during a discussion with Dread Central, timed with the release of a 7-movie A Nightmare on Elm Street 4K Ultra HD box set and following his recent receipt of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Englund’s perspective offers a unique look into the franchise’s legacy beyond its creator, Wes Craven, focusing on the directors who brought their distinct visions to the sequels.
Englund’s Top Director Picks
While Wes Craven’s 1984 original is iconic, Englund expressed particular pride in the work of directors who continued the series. He specifically highlighted two filmmakers for their unique contributions.
- Ronny Yu: Englund praised Yu, the director of Freddy vs. Jason, for his “edgy, graphic-novel-style horror.” He recalled being impressed by Yu’s work on Bride of Chucky and expressed a desire to see new projects from the director.
- Jack Sholder: The actor also commended Jack Sholder, who directed the 1985 sequel A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, calling him a “double threat” due to his skills as both a director and an editor.
Underrated Sequels and Co-Star Appreciation
The Most Underrated Entries
Beyond directors, Englund also identified which sequels he believes are the most underrated. While acknowledging that Part 3 is a fan favorite, he made a case for two later films.
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988): Englund stated this film contains his personal favorite performance as Freddy, specifically praising the junkyard scenes. He addressed the film’s “MTV Nightmare” label, reframing its stylized editing as a strength.
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989): He lauded director Stephen Hopkins for the film’s “phenomenal” production design, which he said created a surreal, comic-book-like world that still holds up.
Praise for Collaborators
Englund took the opportunity to celebrate his former co-stars and collaborators, noting their continued success. He mentioned Patricia Arquette’s incredible talent, Heather Langenkamp’s recent work, and Lisa Wilcox’s steady career in indie horror. He also paid tribute to the late Wes Craven, whose loss he described as heartbreaking.
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