10 Things You Didn't Know About Freddy Krueger
9. Jackie Earle Haley Almost Starred In The Original
The 2010 reboot introduced the world to Jackie Earle Haley as the new Freddy. While Haley did an admirable up job, he just wasn’t Freddy. But, what many people don't know is that there has long been a rumor that Haley was actually set to star in the original NOES film twenty-plus years prior. He was apparently up for the part of Glen (which would ultimately be Johnny Depp’s first film role).
The story goes that Johnny accompanied his friend Jackie on Jackie’s audition for the movie. Director Wes Craven saw Depp, asked him to audition, and Jackie went on to do something called The Zoo Gang instead. While other people involved with the film have said that the actor did indeed audition, the overall story may not be what is seems.
In an interview with Movies Online the actor explained:
“It is possible that I auditioned for Nightmare On Elm Street and don’t remember. It’s also possible that I could have been sitting next to Johnny in the waiting room. That’s the only thing I could figure where that started from.”
Either way, it’s still a pretty big coincidence.