AceShowbiz -

Jackie Earle Haley moves on from being an inkblots-masked hero in "Watchmen" to portraying an iconic killer in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" remake. Variety has reported that the Academy Award-nominated actor will take on the villainous role of Freddy Krueger, who was originally made famous by Robert Englund.

"Looking at his performance in 'Watchmen,' here's a guy playing a character under a mask yet you feel tremendous empathy for him," director Samuel Bayer said of what Haley can contribute to the movie. "And in Nightmare, he is going to be under prosthetic make-up. You have to feel something for the character. The greatest villains are multi-dimensional and I think he will bring that to the character."

The 47-year-old will be joining the project as the serial killer known for his burned face, his razor glove and his red-and-green sweater, when the remake begins lensing May 5 in Chicago. The confirmation of Haley casting, in addition, puts off another Krueger casting rumor which placed Billy Bob Thornton in the potential seat.

"A Nightmare on Elm Street" is a reboot of Wes Craven's 1984 horror classic, centering on a serial killer who haunts teenagers in their dreams and kills them while they are fast asleep. Written by Wesley Strick, it will have Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form serving as producers along with John Rickard. Music video director Samuel Bayer has been tapped to helm the project.