THE DREAM WARRIORS FROM ANOES3
Like a number of horror fans, I have a deep love for all things Michael, Jason and Freddy. And yes, that means I have an appreciation for a lot of bad sequels. However, for all the bad, there are a number of reasons why we love these characters, and one big reason for me is the exceptional A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS. This is the rare sequel that elevates the original material and somehow manages to expand the universe in a most satisfying way. Plus it features a terrific cast led by the original ANOES heroine Heather Langenkamp and Patricia Arquette. In this week’s Where In The Horror Are They Now, we look back at some of the other talent that helped make this not only a great sequel, but a classic horror film on its own. Let’s get comfy, put on some Dokken and check out what the Dream Warriors are up to! You can browse our previous look at Jennifer Rubin as well here.
KEN SAGOES
THEN: Before Ken Sagoes signed on for Kincaid in DREAM WARRIORS, the actor took on a number of small roles in shows like The Twilight Zone (1985), Airwolf (1986) and a TV-movie called the George McKenna Story. After taking on Freddy Krueger, you could find Ken in PROJECT X with Helen Hunt and Matthew Broderick, and of course he returned for Kincaid's demise in A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER IN 1988. When it comes to genre, the actor was also featured in a low budget flick called DEATH BY DIALOGUE in 1988 and later in 2002 he appeared in the comedy horror flick THE BACKLOT MURDERS. Ever since his NIGHTMARE days, the actor has worked steadily in small roles on television and in features such as INTOLERABLE CRUELTY (2003).
NOW: While the actor has stayed away from genre for the most part, it appears that he may be back. In 2016, Ken appeared in the feature film GORENOS about a supernatural entity that haunts an 18-year-old and the people around him. This year, you can find Ken in the feature NO SOLICITORS. This cannibal flick sounds quite entertaining, and may convince some not to be door-to-door salesmen. Next up for the actor is the action thriller NATION’S FIRE, which according to IMDb, is currently in Post-production. And of course, all of today’s subjects appear in the fantastic ANOES documentary Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy.
RODNEY EASTMAN
THEN: I think Rodney Eastman’s Joey may be one of my favorite ELM STREET characters. The dude is instantly likable and he had one hell of a cool scene in DREAM WARRIORS. And let’s just say that he stayed busy since fighting FREDDY. Starting off his genre career with an uncredited shoplifter role in CHOPPING MALL (1986), the actor has worked very consistently over the years. He even returned for A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER in 1988. Some of his other genre work includes DEADLY WEAPON (1989) and the TV-movies The Preppie Murder (1989) and Flight of Black Angel (1991). He also starred in HEAR NO EVIL (1993) and non-genre flicks like THE OPPOSITE OF SEX in 1998 with Christina Ricci, THE DANCER (2000), SAND (2000) and THE CAVEMAN’S VALENTINE IN 2001. The dude also rocked it in the underrated revenge horror remake of I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE in 2010.
NOW: Rodney has a pretty impressive resume, and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Aside from a ton of TV guest spots, the actor found work in the mini-series Ambient in 2015. He was featured in the family drama FOREIGN LAND in 2016, and when it comes to genre, he starred in the short Hoax (2016) and the mystery SABLE scheduled for this year. His next flick is another short called By The Time You Read This which was actually filmed in 2013. And like Ken, you can hear him talk about his years fighting Freddy in Never Sleep Again.
BRADLEY GREGG
THEN: For me, the on-screen kill of Bradley Gregg’s character in DREAM WARRIORS messed my young mind up good. I mean seriously, a living marionette is utterly terrifying. So where else can we see this fine fellows work? Aside from his time with Freddy, Bradley appeared in the 1985 sci-fi feature EXPLORERS. And with the success of the recent IT, I have to mention that he was in the classic 1986 King adaptation of STAND BY ME. The actor made an appearance in INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989), CLASS OF 1999 (1990), EYE OF THE STORM and THE FISHER KING (both in 1991), and the awesome thriller FIRE IN THE SKY in 1993. Bradley also had an uncredited role in the thriller NIGHT WATCH in 1997, as well as stepping into a couple of indie flicks called VICIOUS CIRCLE (1997) and HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS (1999).
NOW: Frankly, Bradley’s horror flicks are very rare. The actor appears to be drawn to less of the scary, and more into straight forward drama. In 2015, he was featured in the animated short Toy Soldier. The following year he starred as 'Pastor Virgil Palmer' in the family drama BOONVILLE REDEMPTION. And finally, in 2017 he appeared in the short thriller Detained. And like his fellow DREAM WARRIORS, he is in the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise doc Never Sleep Again – but it may be important to note that he was only featured in the archive footage.
IRA HEIDEN
THEN: How can we ever forget about Will, the powerful nerd that gave Krueger a run for his money? Ira Heiden kills it as a wheelchair bound wannabe wizard. Now since he fought against the legendary villain, Ira hasn’t been on-camera too much. With only 17 acting credits, he did appear in the Rob Lowe comedy ILLEGALLY YOURS in 1988 as well as in ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK that same year. He joined the cast of ZAPPED AGAIN! in 1990, and was in the wedding party for the hit Steve Martin comedy FATHER OF THE BRIDE in 1991. His other screen credits include THE PROS & CONS OF BREATHING (1993), DANGEROUS TOUCH (1994), TIMELOCK (1996) and his last role appears to be a 'restaurant host' in THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH in 2011.
NOW: Aside from stepping into the world of Elm Street for Never Sleep Again, Ira has found a new life seemingly away from film. Am I crazy, but wouldn’t it be great to see the Dream Warriors work together in some wild and wacky film? Either way, I’ve always had a soft spot for these talented dudes, and of course for the film in which they all starred. If you’d like to follow any of these fine gentlemen on social media, you can find Ira's Facebook and Twitter, Bradley's Facebook and Twitter, Rodney's Facebook and Twitter and finally Ken's Facebook and Twitter. And of course, now seems like as good a time as any to put on a little movie called A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS… and of course sing along to the awesome title theme.