Movies
Robert Englund Talks Unproduced ‘Elm Street’ Prequel
During an interview with Moviehole.net, Robert Englund, best known as Freddy Krueger through 8 A Nightmare on Elm Street films, reveal old plans for a franchise prequel (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer‘s John McNaughton was at one time attached to direct).
“There was a great kind of “Portrait of a Serial Killer” kind of docudrama script around, where you see Freddy and his first kills and the courtroom scenes where these really horrible, terrible lawyers keep getting him off; great corrupt lawyers getting him off and then the vigilante parents. Finally in the climax, burning him alive, and maybe you see him manifest, and show up on Elm Street at the very end, where his sort of revenge, reign of terror would be hinted at.”
And for those of you angry he was re-cast in the Platinum Dunes 2010 remake, Englund explains he was on his way out anyways, physically, “I could’ve probably done another Freddy or two, but I think that’s when Platinum Dunes acquired the rights along with Warner Brothers from Newline Cinema. Their idea was to reboot the franchise and go with somebody younger who could play, could be the same Freddy for years. I’m almost – even now, I’m almost too old to go out there and do the stunts and stuff. I can do a couple of takes, but then I wake up the next morning and feel like I’ve been playing football.”
Englund is now 65, and will be part of the forthcoming Behind the Mask prequel.
Up next from Indonesian horror master Joko Anwar (Satan’s Slaves, Impetigore) is supernatural horror-comedy Ghost in the Cell, and a new image teases carnage-fueled laughs ahead.
Ghost in the Cell will screen at FrightFest on August 28.
Set within an Indonesian correctional facility, the film follows inmates whose survival instincts are tested when a mysterious new prisoner arrives accompanied by a supernatural entity that targets those with the darkest aura. As deaths mount, the incarcerated population discovers that collective action may be their only path to survival.
Joko Anwar writes and directs.
The fresh image previews some gnarly gore.
As for the film’s sense of humor, Anwar told Variety, “Humor in the film doesn’t release tension, it sharpens it. Laughter should come with discomfort. If the audience laughs and then immediately questions why they did, the tone is working.”
Abimana Aryasatya, Lukman Sardi, Bront Palarae, Aming, Rio Dewanto, Morgan Oey, and Tora Sudiro lead the ensemble cast.
Almanzo Konoralma, Arswendy Bening Swara, Danang Suryonegoro, Dewa Dayana, Endy Arfian, Faiz Vishal, Farrell Rafisqy, Haydar Salishz, Ho Yuhang, Ical Tanjung, Kiki Narendra, Magistus Miftah, Mike Lucock, Radja Nasution, Tony Merle, and Yoga Pratama round out the cast.
The comedic horror movie was acquired for North American release by Well Go USA earlier this year, with release details yet to be revealed.
“We’re thrilled to bring Ghost in the Cell to North America,” said Well Go USA CEO Doris Pfardrescher. “As longtime fans of Joko Anwar, having previously released his film Gundala, we’ve seen firsthand how strongly his work resonates with audiences here. Ghost in the Cell is an absolute blast – it’s wildly entertaining and deliciously gory in all the right ways.”
Ghost in the Cell made waves at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival before becoming a box office hit in Indonesian cinemas upon release on April 16, 2026.
Stay tuned for more as it arrives.
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