A: Romantic comedy.

Q: If you had the very tough choice of working with either Wes Craven or Ronny Yu on another potential installment in the "A Nightmare on Elm Street" series, which would you choose?

A: Probably Wes because, as the creator of Freddy, he might have more interesting insights.

Q: Even though prequels have become some level of a trend since George Lucas began the "Star Wars" prequels, I think a prequel to "A Nightmare on Elm Street" would be quite interesting, of course, if done properly with a truly intriguing story.  If you have such a preference, would like to work on a prequel or a sequel to "A Nightmare on Elm Street"?  Or even the well-rumored "Freddy vs. Jason" sequel?

A: I am a hired gun.  If New Line chooses to make one of those projects, I am interested.  The idea of a Freddy prequel, Freddy before he was burned, interests me because I would not have to wear make-up.

Q: Long setup, good question.  When I first saw the original "A Nightmare on Elm Street" about 4-5 years ago, when I first got into horror, it truly scared me into late night paranoia ('fear of the dark' sort of thing).  The only other film that has consistently freaked me out has been "The Exorcist" (all three times I've pulled myself to view it). Is there any such film that has consistently creeped, scared, or plain freaked you out over the years?

A: Sorry, can't think of one.

Q: Have you become friends, at some level, with Ken Kirzinger, and if so, how quickly did you two warm up one another?

A: We became friends right away.  Ken is a gentleman stuntman.

Q: I know "Freddy vs. Jason" had been a dream project, if not THE dream project, for Kane Hodder for the last 15 years, and he has been deeply spiteful towards New Line ever since he was ousted, to put it mildly, from "Freddy vs. Jason".  Have you still had regular contact with him since then?

A: I have worked with Kane, and consider him a friend.  Ronny's choice not to use him was not personal. Ronny's vision of Jason was a tall, thin character.  He was not familiar with the movies and Kane's work.

Q: How many CGI effects are there as opposed to practical effects (i.e. wire work, stunts, make-up effects) in "Freddy vs. Jason"?  How much do you think Freddy and his dream realm benefit from the advancements in visual effects technology?

A: We didn't squander money on FX like some summer movies.

Q: I know Bob Shaye has been, or at least appears to have been, heavily involved in the evolution of "Freddy vs. Jason".  He's gone through all the rejected scripts, been there for some of the filming, and was there at the first test screening.  So, my question is, has Bob Shaye been as deeply committed to this project as such reports have stated?  Or at least, as much as he's wanted to be, pending his duties as a studio executive?

A: Bob has a cameo in FvJ.  Look for him.

Q: I know it's only been a few, short weeks since Graeme Revell was announced as the composer of the film, but do you know if he plans on using, in some form or another, versions of past "Friday" and "Elm Street" themes and musical cues?

A: There are Elm Street themes worked into the score.

Q: I'm so glad to see that Freddy has returned to his darker, more purely vile self of the first few "Elm Streets" for "Freddy vs. Jason".  Did you ever feel, during the making of the later sequels ("NEW NIGHTMARE" aside), that Freddy should've been darker, more frightening instead of comical and literally kept out of the shadows?

A: I feel Freddy should be dark, but directors and fans like his dark humor.  In many cases during the filming of all the movies I would give a dark and a comical take for certain scenes.  Director liked the "button" that a laugh gives so would often opt for the more comical take in the editing room.

Q: Considering it had been seven years since you last put on the Freddy garb (in one form or another), how easy was it to slink back into the character, considering how truly demonic he's reported to be in "Freddy vs. Jason"?  Was the make-up the real trick to shifting completely into that frame of mind again?

A: It's like putting on an old glove.. Er.. Pair of shoes.

Q: Did you know that when New Line Cinema was making "JASON GOES TO HELL", that Freddy's glove was going to make the surprise appearance in the final shot of the film?  If so, did you offer to come in to cameo with the sweater and glove (and do the cackling laughter at the end as well)?

A: No and no.

Q: I have been wondering lately, me being the Alice Cooper fan that I am, if you actually got to work with Alice on the set of "FREDDY'S DEAD"?  Considering you two never shared a scene in the film.

A: We hung out on the set together, and I did some work on his album RAISE YOUR FIST AND YELL.

Q: Aside from "Elm Street" mainstays Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon, what cast members from a past Freddy outing  (including "Freddy's Nightmares", just for the hell of it) would you love to work with again?

A: Johnny Depp, Patricia Arquette, Lisa Wilcox, Liza Zane, Yaphet Kotto, Brecken Meyers, and Jason Ritter.

Q: Do you remember what it was like on the set of the music video for Dokken's "Dream Warriors"?  If so, was it a fun experience?  Was the band easy to get along with?  And "who were those guys?"

A: Long cold night in the Valley.

Q: Which "A Nightmare on Elm Street" film have you had the most fun making?  Which non-Elm Street film have you had the most fun making?

A: Part 7 was fun because it was a reunion.  Stay Hungry was a lot of fun to make.

Q: Who is your favorite classic horror movie actor (the Universal monster movies, Hammer films, etc.)?

A: My favorite classic horror movie actor is Christopher Lee.

Q: You've worked with Tobe Hooper on a few of his films.  Would you like to work with him more in the future?

A: Yes.

Q: What kind of a guy is he, personally?

A: Brilliant, tormented.

Q: Have you formed a personal relationship with him through the films you've worked on together?

A: Yes, and we are potentially going to work together in the future.

Q: Also, what was it like directing your first feature film, "976-EVIL", and do you have any want to direct anything else in the future?

A: I directed for the stage for years.  I have found movie directing is a lot of work with little real control.  I will probably direct for TV in the future.

Q: And I need to ask this question for myself:  How was your experience making "The Adventures of Ford Fairlane"?  I know your character of "Smiley" was originally to be played by Billy Idol until his terrible motorcycle accident.  Were you brought in late in pre-production, or did Renny Harlin, Joel Silver, and Twentieth Century FOX not have to scramble to find a replacement for the role?  This is just one of my all-time favorite films, and you being a part of it is just so very awesome.  Anything further you'd like to tell me about it would be welcomed.

A: Renny [Harlin], who directed #4, called me when Billy was injured and asked me to do the role on pretty short notice.  I had a great time.

Q: Looking over your filmography, I'm so pleasantly surprised by all the classic television series you made guest appearances on.  And so many of them have been favorite shows of mine.  Is there any ONE guest television appearance that remains prominent in your mind to this day?  Or are just about all them equally special?

A: "Paris" with James Earl Jones was a high point.

Q: And a personal question of sorts, something insightful.  What sort of hobbies do you have?  Are you really a painter as Wes Craven portrayed you in "NEW NIGHTMARE", or am I just reading too much reality into fiction?

A: No, I am a collector, not a painter.  I like to travel, read and surf.

Q: What are some of your favorite musicians or musical composers, genres aside?

A: Favorite musicians include: Bob Marley, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and the Talking Heads.

Q: Of course, now, the obligatory "what's your next project?" question.  The new "V" mini-series?  Or possibly that project with Gunnar Hansen, "The Last Horror Picture Show"?

A: Both of those are possible.  I will be at the Venice Film Festival to promote an Italian film I starred in last year.