Freddy Krueger Returns
Paramount Primal Develops New Nightmare on Elm Street Film with Craven Estate
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Key Points
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Paramount Primal's leadership—J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules—bring a proven genre-focused track record to the Elm Street revival, having produced genre hits such as Weapons, Barbarian, and Companion, which signals a specific strategic direction for the franchise.
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Marc Toberoff is attached as an executive producer and is described as an attorney-turned-producer who specializes in copyright law, underscoring a deliberate emphasis on rights and intellectual-property considerations in developing the project.
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There are currently no announced attachments for director, screenwriter, or cast, with outlets noting that no creative personnel have been attached yet to the new Elm Street film.
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Historically, the Nightmare on Elm Street rights originated with New Line Cinema (and later Warner Bros.), and Paramount’s involvement marks a new realignment of the franchise’s rights ownership for a contemporary revival.
Paramount Pictures has secured the rights to adapt Wes Craven's original 1984 screenplay for a new Nightmare on Elm Street film, according to The Wrap and ComicBook. The project will be developed and released under Paramount Primal, the studio's new genre label, bringing Freddy Krueger back to theaters for the first time since the 2010 remake.
Craven's widow, Iya Labunka, and his son Jonathan Craven will serve as executive producers on the film, giving the project the blessing of the Craven family. No director, writer, or cast has been announced yet, but the deal is confirmed and the project is officially underway.
How the Craven Estate Reclaimed Freddy Krueger
The Craven estate regained the rights to the original Nightmare on Elm Street film in 2019. A U.S. copyright law allows creators — or their heirs — to reclaim ownership of a work after 35 years. Craven died in 2015, so his estate used that legal provision to take back the rights from New Line Cinema and Warner Bros., which had controlled the franchise for decades.
That reclaim paved the way for Paramount to license the rights and build a new film from the ground up. Yahoo News noted the deal was finalized before Paramount's pending merger with Warner Bros. closes, making the timing of the acquisition especially significant. Warner Bros. previously owned the franchise through New Line Cinema.
Paramount Primal Leads a Genre-Focused Revival
The new film will be made under Paramount Primal, the studio's dedicated genre label. J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules run the imprint. The two producers have a strong track record in horror and thriller films, with credits including Barbarian, Weapons, and Companion — all titles that connected with modern genre audiences.
Marc Toberoff is also attached as executive producer. Toberoff is a lawyer turned producer who specializes in copyright law. His involvement signals that the studio is being careful and deliberate about protecting the intellectual property as it builds out the new Elm Street franchise, according to The Wrap.
Fans Want Robert Englund — But It May Not Happen
News of the film immediately sparked fan demand for Robert Englund to return as Freddy Krueger. Englund originated the role in 1984 and played the character across seven sequels. He is now 77 years old. ComicBook noted that while fans want him back, his return may not be realistic given the physical demands of the role.
The 2010 remake, which starred Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy, was a commercial but not a critical success. That film grossed over $115 million worldwide but drew mixed reviews. Paramount's new version aims to go back to Craven's original vision, using his own screenplay as the foundation rather than building on later sequels or the remake.
No Cast or Timeline Yet as Development Begins
As of now, Paramount has not announced a director, a screenwriter, or any cast members for the new film. Multiple outlets confirm that no creative personnel have been attached yet. The project is in its earliest stages of development, with the rights deal itself being the key milestone to announce at this point.
The Craven family's direct involvement as executive producers adds a layer of creative legitimacy to the project. With Iya Labunka and Jonathan Craven at the table, the new film is positioned as a faithful revival rather than a studio cash grab. Paramount has not given a release window, but the official confirmation means development is actively moving forward.
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