What If Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund Return to Elm Street?

Halloween (2018) has really sparked an interest in known horror names returning to their roles. By now you’ve undoubtedly heard that both Robert Englund and Heather Langenkamp are open to the possibilities of reprising to their iconic roles.

Robert made the point that he might have one more left in him. It’s an exciting notion to think Robert may fully return, even if only for one film. Which, to be fair, is okay with us as Robert is 71 years of age and he did give us a taste of Freddy in The Goldbergs this past October.

On the other hand, Nancy is “dead,” killed off in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and lives on within the Beautiful Dream in the series comic book series tie-in. It could be tricky to bring Heather back but not impossible. Although Heather returned in 1994’s Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, it wasn’t truly Nancy and that was 24 years ago!

We threw around a few ideas of what could happen in a new film should Robert and Heather return, pros and cons included:

1. Back to the (Almost) Beginning

   

   Probably the most controversial among Nightmare fans, but this would be in the same vein with this year’s Halloween by making a direct sequel to the first film. What makes it such a sticky idea is that many of the sequels are beloved and have a dedicated fanbase all on their own, particularly A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, which in most cases is the fan favorite of the sequels, if not their favorite in the franchise. This may follow what happened to Nancy all these years later. Did she end up in a psych ward? Did she get the heck out of Dodge and move on? Are her dreams calling her back? On a side note: If the film went this route, it wouldn’t wipe out Dream Warriors from existence nor the rest of the films. It’s okay, you can calm down, they’ll still be around.

   Pros:
   1) No need to explain why Nancy has continued to get older as she never died
   2) Potentially a very interesting storyline providing fans and viewers showing how she’s matured
   3) Robert may be able to not be on screen as much, so it’s probably less physically demanding

   Cons:
   1) BYE-BYE DREAM WARRIORS (and thus fan outrage)
   2) Too similar to the new Halloween
   3) See #1.

2. A Sequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

   

   Some people really love Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare and others can do without it. Being very, very rarely a top favorite and a smidgen wild, this film could be sacrificed in favor of a continuation of the storyline from the previous films. Perhaps even following along the lines of Innovation’s Nightmares on Elm Street (1991-92) comic book series, which served as the official lead into Freddy’s Dead and included Nancy, Neil, the Dream Warriors, Alice, Jacob, Yvonne, etc. Fans would have the chance to see Nancy and Alice finally cross paths and not only see the return of Robert and Heather, but other actors from the franchise as well. In fact, it would be almost as big of a reunion as Never Sleep Again. The aging of Nancy could be explained in this scenario somewhat similarly to that of season three of Twin Peaks and the aging of the characters trapped in the Black Lodge. Nancy is still alive within the Beautiful Dream, but not immune to aging. Despite Kristen being powerful enough to dream her into the Beautiful Dream, Nancy was still put their by a human. Freddy can go on forever because he was given his power and privileges by demons.

   Pros:
   1) One heck of a movie overall that includes the return of so many fan favorite characters and familiar faces, not just two
   2) Yay Dream Warriors, et al
   3) The epic story or at least a similar one to the Innovation Comics finally brought to life including Nancy and Alice together.

   Cons:
   1) May be more physically demanding of Robert
   2) A little bit weird with some story stretching. Ah, but what the heck, so was Freddy’s Dead and that happened
   3) Easily dismissed by New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. due to potential budget forecasts

3. New Nightmare, pt. 2
   

   
   Today, the monster is even more prominent throughout society than it was in 1994, yet we don’t see much of a film like this becoming possible. We guess it could happen, but would prefer it doesn’t.
   
   Pros:
   1) Everyone gets to play themselves and not too much of Robert in the makeup
   2) Heather can return as is along with other stars

   Cons:
   1) This movie has a high chance of bombing much like Wes Craven’s New Nightmare‘s theater run

4. Cameos
   

   
   No one really returns as their characters, except maybe Robert. New story and lots of familiar faces show up as different characters through cameos.

   Cons:
   1) Cameos…

The return of both Robert and Heather, as well as maybe some other faces, is exciting. It may require sacrifice, but we’d love this so badly that we’re open to a film by a trusted source – perhaps, Blumhouse?

What do you think of the above suggestions? What would you like to see? What are some of your ideas? Let us know in the comments!

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