Confirmed: Jackie Earle Haley is Freddy in new 'Nightmare'

Jackie Earle Haley has landed his most high profile role yet.

Credit: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Horror fansite Bloody Disgusting confirmed Friday that Jackie Earle Haley has been cast as the iconic villain Freddy Kruger in Samuel Bayer's reboot of "A Nightmare on Elm Street." 

Haley was initially revealed as Freddy in February by Latino Review, but it wasn't close to a done deal at the time.  Now, the fanboy friendly actor who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Todd Field's "Little Children" and was last seen in Rorschach in "Watchmen" is set to step into Robert Englund's shoes as the nightmare inducing razor glove-wearing killer.

Created by Wes Craven, Kruger made his debut in 1984's original "A Nightmare on Elm Street" which centered on a serial killer (Kruger) that was murdered by angry parents and then returned from the dead to haunt the dreams of sex-crazed teens.  Englund's Freddy was known for his signature fedora hate, red and green sweater and, most famously, for that razor tipped glove.  The "Elm Street" series spawned nine sequels and two TV series.  Freddy last appeared on the big screen in 2003's "Freddy vs. Jason."  This new incarnation is being produced by Platinum Dunes, the Michael Bay company responsible for the recent remakes of "Friday the 13th" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre."

Production is expected to begin later this month in Chicago in anticipation of a April 16, 2010 release date.