Johnny Depp does not act as Freddy Krueger in the first Nightmare on Elm Street movie. In fact, he portrays a character named Glen, who is the boyfriend of the film’s main protagonist.
Johnny Depp’s involvement in the movie came about through his friendship with Nicolas Cage. At the time, Depp had aspirations of becoming a rock musician and had no intention of pursuing acting. However, Cage, who was already an established actor, convinced Depp to give acting a try.
As luck would have it, Depp’s first acting gig turned out to be in Wes Craven’s groundbreaking horror film, A Nightmare on Elm Street. Released in 1984, the movie introduced the iconic character of Freddy Krueger, played by Robert Englund.
In the film, Depp’s character, Glen, is the boyfriend of Nancy, the film’s protagonist. Glen becomes one of Freddy Krueger’s victims when he falls asleep and is pulled into his nightmare world. This scene, featuring Glen’s death, remains one of the most memorable and visually striking moments of the movie.
Despite being a relatively small role, Depp’s performance in A Nightmare on Elm Street helped launch his acting career. His talent and charisma were evident even in this early role, and it set the stage for the success and versatility he would later achieve as an actor.
It is worth noting that Depp’s involvement in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise ended with the first film. He did not reprise his role in any of the sequels or appear as Freddy Krueger in any capacity. However, his portrayal of Glen remains a notable milestone in his career, marking the beginning of his journey as an actor.
While Johnny Depp did not act as Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, he did play a significant role in the movie as Glen, the boyfriend of the film’s protagonist. This early acting opportunity helped launch Depp’s career and showcased his talent, setting the stage for the successful career he would go on to have in Hollywood.