Hollywood has paid tribute to the horror icon Wes Craven, the director of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream and The Last House on the Left, who died on Sunday.
Perhaps the most notable contributions came from the American producer Bob Weinstein, who convinced Craven to take on the Scream franchise, and British film-maker Edgar Wright, who both penned tributes.
Wrote Weinstein: “Right now, in the marketplace, there is not a week that goes by where there is not a new horror film opening, but in 1996 the genre almost died out. Wes Craven brought the genre back with the start of the Scream franchise. It is considered a seminal film in the anthology of horror movies and the overwhelming credit goes to the master Wes Craven.
“A small anecdote: I asked Wes why the Drew Barrymore scene was so particularly brutal, bloody and horrific in the opening of a movie because I feared where could he go to top that. His response was that it was well pre-meditated on his part and his experience was if you scared the shit of the audience at the top of the film, that everything that followed – be it the opening of a window, or a door, or someone even sneezing – would have the audience at the edge of their seats. He clearly knew the genre like no one else.”
Wright, whose contributions to horror include the 2004 “zom-rom-com” Shaun of the Dead, published a lengthy fanboy-style essay peppered with scans of early VHS covers from Craven’s 1970s and 80s heyday. He wrote: “The first ‘Nightmare’ quickly became a landmark horror movie and what distinguished it then is what still marks it out as a classic now. It’s the sheer twisted imagination of the premise; the idea of lucid waking nightmares bleeding into the real world makes Freddy Krueger a much more formidable and interesting foe than any of his slasher rivals.
“That Wes Craven was able to rip a film from the headlines (with echoes of the mass hysteria surrounding the infamous McMartin case) and create a solid gold horror premise that is surreal and ambitious even within it’s limited budget, was a masterstroke.”
“From that point on, I had to see every film of Craven’s.”
Evil Dead II director Sam Raimi, who was mentioned in Wright’s piece, wrote in response: “Wes Craven was a master horror film-maker. I saw his movies in the drive-ins and cheap Detroit multiplexes. Those films taught me a lot about horror film-making. I hardly knew him, but feel his absence greatly.”
Neve Campbell, who starred in 1996’s Scream, said in a statement: “We lost a great deal of magic yesterday. I’m devastated to hear of Wes’s passing. My life wouldn’t be what it is without him. I will be forever grateful for his brilliant direction, his wicked sense of humour and his consummate kindness and friendship. He has entertained us all for decades and inspired so many to follow in his path. I loved Wes dearly and will miss him always. Thank you Wes!!!”
Amanda Wyss, who played Tina in 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, wrote on Facebook: “My heart is heavy with the sad news about Wes. I received the call in the middle of the night here in the UK. For hours I’ve thought about how Wes and Nightmare on Elm Street have been a huge part of my life. Personally and professionally. He was intelligent, kind and a true class act. So proud to have been his “Janet Leigh” in his iconic film. Thank you, Wes for all you have given me. Flights of angels ...”
Craven died of brain cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was 76. A selection of tributes from colleagues and film-maker fans of his work can be found below.
Bob Weinstein reflects on legendary horror director Wes Craven. http://t.co/Sw8FLCjHFs pic.twitter.com/RYqLENiivZ
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) September 1, 2015
Hollywood's lost a rare species in Wes Craven. The true Gentleman.
— Robert B. Englund (@RobertBEnglund) August 31, 2015
To be clear, film for film, Wes Craven Was the best horror director. Ever. And he did it with a sense of humor.
— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) September 1, 2015
Devastated to hear the news. Wes was a great friend, fine director and good man. Giant loss. Much too soon. http://t.co/3XnIn8UNIF
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) August 31, 2015
R.I.P. to one of my all time heroes who was also truly one of the nicest people I ever had the good fortune to meet. pic.twitter.com/UNisaTRgFn
— Eli Roth (@eliroth) August 31, 2015
Today the world lost a great man, my friend and mentor, Wes Craven. My heart goes out to his family. x
— Courteney Cox (@CourteneyCox) August 31, 2015
Created this account to say how deeply saddened I am. Wes was a great man and I love him very much... #RIPWesCraven pic.twitter.com/TNpyiFTyS7
— David Arquette (@david_arquette) August 31, 2015
My heart is heavy with the sad news about Wes. I received the call in the middle of the night here in the UK. For... http://t.co/K92kvkckaG
— Amanda Wyss (@_AmandaWyss) August 31, 2015
He directed me in Scream3 and I directed him in J&SB. Fare thee well horror-Gretzky WES CRAVEN. Talented, good guy. http://t.co/LZB0EGzxfV
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 31, 2015
RIP Wes Craven. You were one of a kind. Thanks for all the years of scares and fun.
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) August 31, 2015
So we have lost the movie maker, Wes Craven. Sorry to hear it. Thanks to Jason G. and others who brought the... http://t.co/BMkVBvfxVE
— Anne Rice (@AnneRiceAuthor) August 31, 2015
Can't believe the news. Heartfelt sadness and deepest condolences with the passing of Wes Craven. Truly one of my biggest inspirations. #rip
— James Wan (@creepypuppet) August 31, 2015
I had the great privilege of working with #WesCraven one of the kindest most gentle souls, who made great scary films. #RIPWesCraven
— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) August 31, 2015
Thank you for being the kindest man, the gentlest man, and one of the smartest men I've known. Please say there's a plot twist. #wescraven
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) August 31, 2015
Rockers paid tribute to late horror-movie director Wes Craven: http://t.co/jOP9ZrZh9F pic.twitter.com/AlQa8x3oEx
— UltimateClassicRock (@UltClassicRock) August 31, 2015
