LEATHERFACE UNEMPLOYED

[Scott W. Davis]

You know the corporate takeovers are getting out of hand, when even Leatherface can be handed a pink slip without fear of recrimination.



Andrew Bryniarski, who played Leatherface in Marcus Nispel's better-than-expected TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE remake, will not be returning to the role anytime soon, Fangoria reports.



A prequel to the remake (Oh, this crazy business!) is set to roll in a few weeks, with Jonathan Leibesman, director of the horrible DARKNESS FALLS, behind the camera. The prequel concerns another group of kids who runs afoul of the red state family. R. Lee Ermey will be returning as Sheriff Hoyt, but we don't have any info on additional cast members.



Bryniarski was a huge fan of Tobe Hooper's classic, and reportedly made a personal plea to be cast in the remake. He was well recieved in the role. So well recieved that many may not make the connection with other films he has done in the past.



Anybody here seen a little film called HUDSON HAWK? It was an enormous bomb when it was released and nearly torpedoed Bruce Willis' career. But the film has always had a small group of fans and the film's rep has grown over the years. I am one of those fans and therefore will always remember Bryniarski as the large in body short in brains CIA agent codenamed Butterfinger. The way he called his CIA boss James Coburn "coach" or read aloud from GREEN EGGS AND HAM, well it may not read great in print but the guy made the part his own. He also played Chip, the son of Christopher Walken in BATMAN RETURNS. Character roles in films as varied as ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, PEARL HARBOR and BLACK MASK 2 followed.



But his turn as Leatherface has become his most famous role. And why not? Part of the reasoning behind Nispel's CHAINSAW was that unlike Hooper's film, Leatherface did have a backstory. And while he spent most of the film covered up in rags and skin masks, the way Bryniarski carried himself gave him unexpected character. If you look at the last shot of him in the climactic scene, as he glares back at Jessica Biel, the look in his eyes is chilling, one of complete rage.



I am one of the people who thinks that the insane worship of people playing masked actors goes too far many times. Case in point, Kane Hodder, who has made his turn as Jason in some of the weakest entries of the already weak FRIDAY THE 13TH series into his career calling card. Not getting the role in JASON X caused him to at first feel hurt, then angry and then really he has just made a fool of himself for several years. None of the Jason performances have been particularly memorable. In fact, I haven't seen much difference in the way he is presented in each film. However, I do concede that when someone gets it wrong, it is very noticeable - as in the completely uncredible Michael Myers presented in HALLOWEEN. Also Christopher Lee's speechless roles in THE MUMMY and CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN are classic, as was Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff before him. Should we treat these people differently because they play a different type of horror villain?



Who knows? Andrew Bryniarski however did a top job in Nispel's CHAINSAW and it's too bad he's not allowed to return. There is an online petition to get Bryniarski in the role, and if you're interested you can contribute by clicking HERE.



No news on who will replace Bryniarski, although Fango reports that R.A. Mihailoff of the very poor LEATHERFACE: TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III has been mentioned.



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Comment on this article in our [ www.horrorexpress.com/forums ]!

[redroulettequeen]

This is most unfortunate that the man who struck fear in our hearts and horror in our soul should not return and haunt us again...too bad!!!

[thomasjarvis]

What are the reasons given as to why he won't be reprising the role? Are they trying to cut costs and he wants too much money, or what?