Jackie Earle Haley is Freddy Krueger!

These days, web whispers are becoming truth faster and faster – and the latest example is Jackie Earle Haley’s casting as Freddy Krueger in the new Nightmare.

Yes, New Line has announced that the artist formerly known as Rorschach will indeed be donning the blade-spouting glove and horrific facial scarring to take over as the iconic dream demon, confirming what Latino Review reported in February.

The studio – alongside regular horror partners Platinum Dunes – started working on a relaunch of the Nightmare On Elm Street series last year and casting rumours have been feverish.

It’s no shocker that the companies want to bring Freddy back – before a little series called The Lord Of The Rings, Nightmare was New Line’s biggest cash cow.

While we’re sorry to see Robert Englund deposed from the throne (cameo, please!), Haley’s a damn good choice.

Samuel Bayer is making the move from music vids and adverts to direct the film, which starts shooting next month in Chicago.

[Source: Variety]

Happy that Haley is Freddy? Pissed that Englund isn’t back? Tell us…