Paramount Primal’s ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Moves Forward as New Line Film Is Shelved
The new film will draw on Wes Craven’s original script and has the support of the Craven estate, but no writer or director is attached.
Paramount Primal’s A Nightmare on Elm Street film is moving forward, while a separate international installment reportedly in development at New Line Cinema with filmmaker Lee Cronin is not proceeding, according to Dread Central. No writer or director is officially attached to the Paramount Primal project at this time.
The Paramount film is based on Wes Craven’s original A Nightmare on Elm Street script and is backed by the Wes Craven estate. Craven wrote and directed the original film and died in 2015.
Earlier in 2026, reports said Paramount Pictures would adapt Craven’s original script under Paramount Primal while New Line Cinema was developing an additional installment with Cronin. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema held the international rights to the franchise, and Warner Bros. and Paramount are merging, leading to the abandonment of the international project, according to the earlier reports.
The franchise previously returned in 2010 with a reboot starring Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger. That film had modest financial success but poor critical reception and no sequels.
Quick answers
Is the Lee Cronin A Nightmare on Elm Street film still happening?
No, the international installment reportedly being developed by New Line Cinema with Lee Cronin is not moving forward.
Who is writing or directing the new Paramount A Nightmare on Elm Street film?
No writer or director is officially attached to the Paramount Primal film at this time.
What is the new A Nightmare on Elm Street film based on?
The Paramount film is based on Wes Craven’s original A Nightmare on Elm Street script and is backed by the Wes Craven estate.