Staci Layne Wilson reporting (and photgraphing via iPhone)

Freddy Krueger is on a hot streak again. First he was burned by angry lynch mob, then he was thrust into the spotlight in 1984 when director Wes Craven brought him to life in sort of a baptism by fire, unleashing him on an unsuspecting audience of teens. Now, still seared into our brains, Krueger is back in fine form in the form of Academy Award nominated actor Jackie Earle Haley. He was on-hand (and fortunately clawless) for the "black carpet" premiere, as were many of his friends, costars, and the filmmakers behind the reboot.

I was there to do some interviews (I already saw the movie last weekend), and give you the lowdown, so here we go!

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One of the first folks on the carpet was Arlen Escarpeta, who was a victim in another Platinum Dunes produced remake, 2009's Friday the 13th

Next up was "Jason Voorhees" himself, Derek Mears. Derek will next be seen starring alongside Adrien Brody in Predators

We also got a chance to talk to some of the alum from former Nightmare installments, such as Ken Saoges from A Nightmare on Elm Street Pt 4: Dream Master [1]

One of my favorite interviews of the evening was with the iracible and utterly charming Clancy Brown, who weighed the pros and cons of playing a movie character whose name is so dangerously close to "Alan Smithee"

Screenwriter Wesley Strick and Clancy Brown - Strick was mum on the moniker

Sunglasses were really popular on the carpet that night. "...Future's so bright, Jackie's gotta wear shades!"

Here's director Samuel Bayer, probably worriedly wondering what Kendra and Hank will think of his movie!

Here's star Thomas Dekker (who horror fans know from his work in Laid to Rest, while scifi fans liked him in Sarah Conner Chronicles), along with Platinum Dunes producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller

 

Kyle Gallner claws the air with Freddy-flair

The ethereal Rooney Mara told us what it was like to play the new Nancy (right after she told TV-Guide Channel), while her onscreen "mom", Connie Britton stands by

What is it, up in the sky? A bird? A plane? A flying Freddy?

Nope! It's just a spooky, cloud-enshrouded full moon: the perfect ambiance for sweet dreams after A Nightmare on Elm Street

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