(Image source: New Line Cinema)
In late July, before Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures merged, reports surfaced of a bizarre case of dueling projects: Both studios were developing separate remakes of the "A Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise. Horror outlet Dread Central now reports that Warner Bros.’ reboot is dead, while Paramount’s version continues to move forward.
The competing projects emerged because Paramount Skydance secured only the U.S. rights to the original "A Nightmare on Elm Street," while Warner Bros. retained the international rights. That gave both companies the legal ability to develop a new movie, but with sharply different distribution restrictions. Paramount Skydance’s version could be released in the United States but not internationally, while Warner Bros.’ project faced the opposite limitation: It could play overseas but not in the U.S.
(Image source: New Line Cinema)
Paramount has yet to find a writer-director for its reboot. Before the Warner Bros. version was canceled, however, the studio planned to enlist "Evil Dead Rise" filmmaker Lee Cronin. Paramount holds one major advantage: The "A Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise’s core fan base is concentrated in the U.S., and the studio reportedly believes the movie could earn at least $70 million from the domestic box office alone.
Paramount also has the backing of original director Wes Craven’s son, Jonathan Craven, and his widow, Iya Labunka. The pair licensed the remake rights to the studio and will serve as producers. Warner Bros., by contrast, faced a limited overseas audience for the franchise. The studio also attempted to negotiate with Craven’s family but failed to reach a deal.
(Image source: New Line Cinema)
Puck News previously reported that Paramount’s reboot would face major creative restrictions because the studio owns only the screenplay rights to the first film. According to that report, Paramount would have been limited to making an almost shot-for-shot remake with little room for substantial changes, while Warner Bros. would have enjoyed far greater creative freedom. Dread Central has since disputed that claim, reporting that Paramount is not required to recreate the original film shot for shot.
There is still no word on who will direct Paramount’s reboot, but several rising filmmakers have already expressed interest. "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" director Jane Schoenbrun and "Smile" franchise filmmaker Parker Finn have both shown enthusiasm for taking on Freddy Krueger’s return.
via： Dread Central