It’s the talk of horror fans this summer: there are not one but two “A Nightmare On Elm Street” remakes in development, and it’s a race to see if Paramount or Warner Bros. makes theirs first. But who will direct either of them? “The Mummy” director Lee Cronin already spoke with WB about possibly helming that remake, but another new major voice in the genre recently chimed in to express their interest. Want to guess who it is?
According to Phantasmag (via Screenrant), Jane Schoenbrun wants to take a crack at the storied “Elm Street” franchise. “I’m trying to get a meeting on this “Nightmare on Elm Street” thing,” the “Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma” director said at the LA premiere of their new film. “I would love to do that.” Schoenbrun’s interest in Paramount’s reboot should come as little surprise for those who’ve seen their latest: a psychosexually charged meta-remake-ode to ’80s slasher films. The filmmaker also told GQ that “The Dream Warriors,” the third movie in the original “Elm Street” franchise, was one of her central influences for “Camp Miasma,” so there’s a thread here.
Of course, given Paramount’s deal with the Wes Craven estate for their remake, the studio doesn’t have the creative license Schoenbrun would want if they directed it. The deal basically limits Paramount to a shot-for-shot reboot of the film, no merchandising rights, and no international distribution rights (Warner Bros. has those for the “Elm Street” IP). Schoenbrun’s pop-nostalgic, high-affect style wouldn’t be able to breathe under such creative strictures, in which case Warner Bros.’ remake may be the better option for the director.
However, neither “Elm Street” remake will likely move forward while the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger remains at its current legal impasse. Schoenbrun could wait that out, though, since, aside from a Netflix adaptation of the graphic novel “Black Hole,” they aren’t linked to any other upcoming projects. Add in the fact that many have tried and failed to adapt “Black Hole” over the years, and the likelihood of that being Schoenbrun’s next work feels slim. But many other horror directors will want to get on the “Elm Street” action, too: the likes of Curry Barker and Parker Finn come to mind, among others.
Any definitive answers to the ongoing “Elm Street” remake saga probably won’t happen for a while, but consider Schoenbrun’s comments as them throwing their hat in the ring. Will Paramount or Warner Bros. respond? Watch this space to find out.
