The Freddy Krueger character was originally played by Robert Englund and was featured in nine films and two TV series. “Nightmare” was New Line’s most lucrative film franchise until “The Lord of the Rings” came along. The first “A Nightmare On Elm Street” was written and directed by Wes Craven in 1984 and featured Johnny Depp in his first feature film role.

The relaunch of this film series comes just as Michael Bay and Platinum Dunes gets ready to relaunch another 1980s horror franchise, “Friday the 13th” starring the most famous Jason of all (I’m excluding myself, of course), Jason Voorhees. “Cloverfield” star Odette Yustman has just been tapped to star in that film, and Marcus Nispel will direct a script by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift (Freddy Vs. Jason). Filming will get under way in April.

Both franchises will be given a complete overhaul, or a re-imagining as many like to call it, similar to what Platinum Dunes provided in the Nispel directed “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” New Line will not be able to hire a writer for “Nightmare” until the writer’s strike ends.

Transformers director Michael Bay is reviving the Friday the 13th franchise through his low-budget production company.

Bay’s Platinum Dunes banner will be producing the remake of the original 1980 horror classic, which turned the villainous Jason into a cultural icon, for New Line Cinema. Platinum Dunes is also the company that was responsible for the revivals of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hitcher.

Damian Shannon and Mark Swift wrote the script. They wrote 2003′s Freddy vs. Jason, the killer’s last big-screen appearance. That film grossed more than $82 million domestically and a whopping $114 million internationally on a $30 million budget.

The movie will be getting some changes from the first go around. In the original Friday the 13th, Jason Voorhees made only a brief appearance in the final frames and never actually killed anyone. He never even put on the famous hockey mask until the third movie. Bay’s film, however, will focus on Jason who will wear the mask and will certainly do some killing. They will also keep the famous setting of Crystal Lake.

A winter start date is planned with a 2009 release likely. If they hope to release on a Friday the 13th they would have ample opportunity as there are three such dates in 2009 (February, March, and November).

Bay’s Platinum Dunes banner will be doing the remake of the original 1980 horror classic, which turned the villainous Jason into a cultural icon, for New Line Cinema. Platinum Dunes is also the company that was responsible for the revivals of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hitcher.

The movie will be getting a face-lift for sure (I’m sure they’ll call it a re-imagining). In the original Friday the 13th, Jason Voorhees made only a brief appearance in the final frames and never actually killed anyone. And you may find this hard to believe, but he never even put on the famous hockey mask until the third movie. Bay’s film, however, will focus on Jason who will wear the mask and kill. They will also keep the famous setting of Crystal Lake.

The rumor is that Bay hopes to get this film done before the possible strikes occur but a 2009 release seems likely. If he hopes to release on a Friday the 13th he would have ample opportunity as there are three such dates in 2009 (February, March, and November).

Damian Shannon and Mark Swift will write the script. They wrote 2003′s Freddy vs. Jason, the killer’s last big-screen appearance. That film grossed more than $82 million domestically and a whopping $114 million internationally on a $30 million budget. Of course, Jason X only earned $16 million worldwide on an $11 million budget so who knows what this one will do. I’m guessing they’ll do okay.