Paramount's new horror label Primal lands U.S. rights to original Nightmare on Elm Street script

Paramount Pictures has secured the U.S. rights to Wes Craven's original screenplay for 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' and plans to reboot the iconic horror franchise through its newly formed genre label, Paramount Primal. According to Deadline, the studio acquired the rights directly from the Craven estate, which includes Craven's widow Iya Labunka and son Jonathan Craven.

DeadlineParamount acquires U.S. rights to original 'Nightmare on Elm Street' screenplay for franchise reboot via new genre label Primal

Paramount Primal is led by J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, whose credits include 'Barbarian' and 'Friendship,' as reported by forums.toynewsi.com. The label will oversee the new feature adaptation, though no writer has been attached yet, Deadline noted.

forums.toynewsi.comParamount Primal Making New Nightmare On Elm Street Movie

"The plan is to reboot the iconic horror franchise at Paramount, while New Line retains international rights."

The deal comes ahead of Paramount's planned merger with Warner Bros., adding a layer of strategic complexity to the rights acquisition, according to culturedailynews.com. The outlet also reported that the move positions the studio to develop a reboot that could reinvigorate one of horror's most recognizable franchises.

culturedailynews.com‘A Nightmare On Elm Street’ Original Screenplay’s U.S. Rights Head To Paramount And Its New Genre Label Primal Before Warner Bros Merger

"Under copyright law, authors can reclaim rights 35 years after publication, a provision screenwriters and estates have increasingly used."

This copyright provision explains how the Craven estate was able to regain control of the original screenplay from New Line, which had held international rights but now sees Paramount Primal driving the U.S. side of the franchise's next chapter.