Warner Bros. and Paramount clash over new “A Nightmare on Elm Street” remakes
Paramount Pictures has secured domestic rights to Wes Craven’s original "A Nightmare on Elm Street" screenplay through a deal with the Craven estate, while Warner Bros. Discovery retains the franchise’s international distribution rights. Both studios are now developing separate new films based on the property. Paramount will produce its version under the Paramount Primal label, and Warner Bros. is reportedly in talks with director Lee Cronin to write, direct and produce an internationally‑focused remake. The rivalry is unfolding as Paramount’s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery remains delayed by an antitrust lawsuit filed by a coalition of U.S. states and the Writers Guild of America. The split in rights dates back to the death of Wes Craven in 2015, when his widow Iya Labunka and son Jonathan Craven reclaimed domestic rights, leaving Warner with the overseas rights. With the merger still unresolved, each studio aims to advance its project before the corporate landscape changes.
Entities: Freddy Krueger · Lee Cronin · Michael De Luca · Paramount Pictures · Warner Bros. Discovery · Wes Craven · Wes Craven estate
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Both Warner Bros. and Paramount are developing separate new A Nightmare on Elm Street films. (Reports of competing projects)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Warner Bros. Discovery holds the international distribution rights to the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. (Warner's retained international rights)
- [● 3 SOURCES] After Wes Craven’s death, his widow Iya Labunka and son Jonathan Craven reclaimed domestic rights to the original screenplay. (Craven estate actions)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The rivalry between the two studios is occurring while the merger between them remains unresolved. (Ongoing corporate negotiations)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Paramount Pictures has domestic rights to the original A Nightmare on Elm Street screenplay through the Craven estate. (Paramount Primal deal with Craven estate)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Warner Bros. is in talks with director Lee Cronin to write, direct and produce its version of the film. (Warner's reported negotiations)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is valued at about $110 billion and has been delayed by an antitrust lawsuit. (Merger negotiations)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Paramount's project will be produced under the Paramount Primal label. (Paramount Primal imprint)