Big news coming from Paramount this morning regarding the return of A Nightmare On Elm Street. Not completely unlike Friday the 13th, there are some different rights considerations at play, so that’s why we’re likely seeing specific phrasing for “U.S. Theatrical Rights” and referencing that this is adapting the “original screenplay” of the first film. I’ve included the exact details we received below to preserve phrasing and we’ll share more details as we have them, as this is the first major development we’ve seen on A Nightmare On Elm Street in quite some time.
PARAMOUNT STRIKES DEAL WITH WES CRAVEN ESTATE FOR U.S. THEATRICAL RIGHTS TO ADAPT ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY OF A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET FOR NEW GENRE LABEL PARAMOUNT PRIMAL
Iya Labunka, Marc Toberoff and Jonathan Craven to produce
Deal marks first project for Paramount Primal, the newly named genre label under J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules
Paramount has closed a deal for the U.S. rights to adapt the original screenplay for A Nightmare on Elm Street, under its new genre label Paramount Primal, led by J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules.
The U.S. rights are being licensed from the Wes Craven estate, which includes Iya Labunka and Jonathan Craven.
Iya Labunka, Marc Toberoff and Jonathan Craven will produce; J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules will executive produce for Paramount Primal.
The yet untitled film is priority development under Paramount Primal; plot details have yet to be revealed, but it will be set in the world of A Nightmare on Elm Street, based on the original screenplay.
Said Iya Labunka, “Jonathan and I are so excited to be partnering with J.D. and Rafi along with the terrific team they’ve assembled at Paramount Primal. We look forward to bringing the world of Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street to a new and completely engaged generation of fans. We know that Wes would have been thrilled to see how horror is taking its long overdue place in the cultural canon. We can’t wait for all of us to sit together in a dark theatre – around the campfire of today – as the next chapter of the Nightmare story unfolds.”
Said J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, “We can’t remember a time before we were fans of Wes Craven. The fact that Iya and Jonathan have entrusted us with this opportunity to help usher a new story into this world is an honor beyond words. We look forward to working alongside them to bring a terrifying new nightmare to audiences everywhere—and to welcome Freddy home.”
Today, Paramount Pictures also revealed that its previously announced label will be known as Paramount Primal. The label will partner with next-generation storytellers and established filmmakers to produce smartly budgeted films across a variety of genres, including horror, comedy, action, and grounded science fiction.
Lifshitz and Margules have produced acclaimed films including Weapons, Barbarian, Companion and Friendship and are based on the Paramount Pictures lot.
Following a competitive situation, Paramount previously announced the new label on September 19, 2025 and it launched in January 2026.
WME, Industry Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham LLP represent the Wes Craven estate.