Wes Craven

WC

I think it is an extraordinary opportunity and gift to be able to make films in general, and to have done it for almost 40 years now is remarkable. ~Wes Craven

Iconic Director Wes Craven Dies at 76. The icon died due to his battle with brain cancer. Craven entered Hollywood in 1972 after a career in academia. His very first feature film was Last House on the Left. Craven was remained active in the industry for decades. In fact he was developing two series for the Syfy  channel called We Are Completely Fine and The People Under the Stairs. Not to mention lending his name to the MTV show Scream. However Craven’s best-known creation as Freddy Krueger, the twisted Nightmare on Elm Street serial killer who stalks victims in their dreams.

Craven said he got the idea for Elm Street from living next to a cemetery on a street of that name. The cemetery was in a little suburb in Cleveland. There were five Nightmare on Elm Street films total not counting the spinoffs. They were released from 1984-89. Those movies are cult classics that defined the horror genre. When it came to commercial success that arrived much late with the release of Scream in 1996. Craven’s Scream series was a money-making machine at the box-office. Scream and Scream 2 each grossed more than $100 million domestically. Scream could be looked at the first horror parody movie as it spoofed the teen horror genre and often referenced many horror movies. Craven is survived by his sister Carol, stepdaughter Nina, daughter Jessica, son Jonathan, grandchildren Myra-Jean, Miles and Max. Our condolences to the family.