40 years ago, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street made Freddy Krueger a household name — but a slasher icon is nothing without a formidable foe. Heather Langenkamp epitomized the resourceful final girl, going toe-to-toe with the Springwood Slasher as Nancy Thompson.
The actress, who was 20 years old when A Nightmare on Elm Street debuted in 1984, had no idea she’d still be talking about that little horror movie four decades later. “There was no sense that it was special,” she admits.
“In fact, almost everybody in my entire life told me that I would be really regretting doing a slasher movie at that early time of my career, when there was such a terrible stigma attached to that genre in Hollywood. I have to say, I did suffer that for a few years. But now, 40 years later, I’m definitely very happy that I didn’t listen to anyone.”
Langenkamp did, however, recognize that Nancy was a special role. “I’m super proud of Nancy Thompson, and I love talking about her because I do think that a lot of the attention often goes to Freddy — but, in my mind, these are movies about Nancy and the kids who have to fight Freddy. I always remind people Freddy’s only in there for six minutes,” she laughs.
“I knew that there were very few movies that had such a character like Nancy who was so strong and ingenious and just such a badass; a lot of people say that. Especially since Wes put her in three of his movies, she’s really become a touchstone for so many people — not only women, but men too, for her strength and her intense character.”
Warner Bros. has remastered A Nightmare on Elm Street in 4K for its 40th anniversary, coming to Digital on October 1 and 4K Ultra HD on October 15. It includes an unrated cut of the film that restores eight seconds of gore cut from Tina’s death scene. Langenkamp has yet to see the new restoration, but she’s anticipating it just as much as the legion of Freddy fans.
“In my conversations with Wes Craven over many years, we talked about that scene that they’re restoring. Anybody who knows Tina’s death scene knows how absolutely terrifying it is; the most gruesome scene in the movie, I think. People will see a fuller cut of the scene that adds a little bit more gore, and that’s what the fans want. I’m super happy that the fans are getting something that they can continue to collect.
“The people that I meet that love Nightmare on Elm Street so much, they are such loyal fans that dig deep. I’m still learning from my fans every day how amazing this movie is by the details that they tell me about.”
Langenkamp also notes that the new edition is a good way for fans to support the cast members who rarely benefit from the myriad of Freddy merchandise on the market.
“Buying a DVD is actually something that puts a little bit of residual money back in our pockets. After 40 years, how many things do I see with Nancy’s face on it that are not officially licensed by Warner Bros.? But it’s all part of this genre subculture that has just gone global.
“I always think to myself, when someone buys that movie I have to thank them because I know that I’ll probably get, you know, a penny for every sale,” she chuckles. “It’s a way that you can legitimately benefit all the actors who were taking part in that movie in the very beginning.”
Langenkamp has heard the Elm Street fanbase’s pleas for a legacy sequel, and she’d be willing to reprise her role as Nancy if the opportunity presented itself.
“These fans are dying for another episode of this incredible story about Freddy and hopefully Nancy. I think it’s a little bit of cold comfort to get a remastered 4K when truly, in the hearts of so many people that I talked to, what they really want is a sequel or some kind of new installment of this epic.
“That’s the bittersweet part about this whole thing. It’s so great to get something on the 40th anniversary that people can collect. So much has gone into keeping the spirit of Nightmare on Elm Street alive. I’m hoping the next thing that Warner Bros. focuses on is recreating Freddy Krueger in a way that all of us can really enjoy in a new movie.”
For his part, Robert Englund has said he’s too old and out of shape to don the Freddy makeup again — but Langenkamp believes he has one more in him.
“I’ve recently gone out with him, and he has a ton of energy. He’s a person that I can barely keep up with on our jaunts around the country. If he can’t do it, nobody can; that’s what I like to say. Until I see him with his walker stumbling down the street, I’m pretty sure Robert Englund can play Freddy Krueger.”
Beyond Elm Street, Langenkamp can next be seen in Little Bites. Directed by Powerman 5000 frontman Spider One (Allegoria, Bury the Bride), the indie monster movie opens in select theaters on October 4 via RLJE Films.
“Little Bites is a really great little movie,” Langenkamp enthuses. “Spider One, I think, knocked it out of the park. Krsy Fox, his wife, is the lead actress, and she plays a mother who is really, really, really struggling, and I think anyone who has experienced parenthood – not just mothers, but any kind of parent – you just know what an incredibly draining commitment it is.
“This movie, in its cool horror sensibility, addresses some of the issues of parenthood. What attracted me to the project was it had a really deep message for me. I’m a mother, and I see my daughter, who’s a new mother. It touches upon how difficult it is to have another person in the world that you’re totally responsible for.”
She continues, “All the characters are great. Bonnie Aarons is great. Barbara Crampton is great. Chaz Bono is the best thing about the movie, in my opinion. It was fun to do a super indie movie. I hope everybody goes and sees it!”
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Heather Langenkamp in ‘The Midnight Club’
Langenkemp recently reteamed with modern master of horror Mike Flanagan, for whom she starred in The Midnight Club, on The Life of Chuck. The Stephen King adaptation premieres next month at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“I was just the most excited actor in the world when I got the call from Mike Flanagan to play a part in his movie. And it wasn’t a horror movie in the typical sense; it’s a much more deep and philosophical movie about life. I’m an old lady now, and I feel like this movie is going to really appeal to people who like to think about their existence here on planet Earth in a more Stephen King-y kind of way.
“It folds back on itself in time. It kind of time travels. It has people in it who are grappling with their existential reality of knowing that they’re going to die. It’s super interesting. I can’t give away too much, but I’m really excited because I’m so tired of keeping it a secret,” she snickers.
Langenkamp is proud that A Nightmare on Elm Street continues to resonate after 40 years. “People really love sharing this movie not only with their friends but also with their family. I can’t tell you how many aunts and cousins I’ve met who showed it to their younger nephews and nieces and cousins. It just has this mystique.
“It’s kind of a rite of passage for all young people. There’s this moment when you’re at a slumber party or with your parents or grandparents and now even great-parents, they’re showing you Freddy Krueger and Nancy Thompson. It has this magic.”
She concludes, “I know people will love having this 4K edition because the technology and the TVs that we have are so high-definition. It’s great that Warner Bros. is keeping everything up to speed technologically and giving fans some bonus features too to continue to educate people about all the aspects of this movie that we made 40 years ago.”
