Michael Myers, Jason and Freddy: Along with Ghostface, these are probably the most infamous slasher icons. They had completely different starting conditions. “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” immediately hit viewers, and you might think that “Nightmare on Elm Street” could have found a studio pretty easily after that. Actually had to Wes Craven but was worried about getting his movie in theaters.
Both Michael Myers and Jason’s killing spree were simple in nature. While both characters had backstory, some of which featured supernatural motives, these were never as present as with Freddy. “Nightmare On Elm Street” had strong fantasy elements from the first part due to Freddy’s excursions into the protagonists’ dream worlds. And it was precisely this unique selling point that made the studios skeptical.
“Nightmare On Elm Street” in Family Friendly!?
It was an innovation and a risk to bring such a horror-fantasy hybrid to the cinema. A high-profile studio wanted to take this on and it would have taken the franchise in a completely different direction. Disney of all people agreed to take over the film. However, only on the condition that a bloodless and family-friendly version of the film is released.
At first glance, the offer seems absurd. At second glance, Disney’s decision seems more understandable. The nightmare motif lends itself as a starting point for a horror film that is mainly aimed at children. Especially when we think about the creative potential it holds and the absurd way it was played out, especially in later film adaptations. Moreover, there are far too few scary films for a younger audience!
Ultimately rejected Wes Craven the offer. He could not have realized his vision of the film at Disney. On the one hand, he would have to do without bloodthirsty scenes – that would have been a bitter loss, but still manageable. On the other hand, he would have had to completely change Freddy as a character. Not only the design, including the scar face and razor blade hand, would have been too frightening. Freddy’s uncanny obsession with kids wouldn’t have happened in this form either.
It would also be unclear whether Freddy actually killed his victims or merely scared them. You see: You would hardly have recognized your favorite killer! It is also very doubtful that Robert Englund would have embodied this Freddy version. At least we can hardly imagine that. It is difficult to predict what changes to the script, cast and staging would result from these decisions. This version would certainly be interesting, but in the end “Nightmare on Elm Streetto the indestructible horror classic Craven had in mind.