Jackie Early HaleyJackie Earle Haley is trading in his ink-blot mask for a pair of pointy metals claws.

Haley, who brought the vigilante superhero Rorschach to life in this year’s comic-book adaptation “Watchmen,” will star as Freddy Krueger in the upcoming relaunch of “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

The iconic role was played by Robert Englund in the 1984 original, which revolved around an undead predator who attacks his victims through their dreams. The Wes Craven-directed flick spawned seven other films, including the 2003 crossover movie “Freddy vs. Jason,” before New Line decided last year to revive the franchise.

The movie will begin shooting in Chicago next month.

A former child actor, Haley received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in 2006’s “Little Children.” He is working on the Fox TV pilot “Human Target” and will next appear opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the mystery drama “Shutter Island,” directed by Martin Scorsese.






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