The 2003 version features a talented young cast that includes "7th Heaven's" Jessica Biel and "Six Feet Under's" Eric Balfour. While at the Premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" I had the opportunity to talk with Balfour about working on the remake and about his upcoming TV series, "Fearless."
What can fans expect from this remake?
It’s terrifying. I can’t even watch it. I couldn’t even watch it while I was making it. I literally had my eyes closed the entire time.
No way. Wouldn't it be hard to act with your eyes closed?
I had my eyes closed the entire time. I don’t even know what was happening (laughing). They really did an amazing job of making it a downright classic horror film.
What kind of stunt work did you do?
Besides being hung upside down, attacked with a claw, beaten with a hammer, drug through the mud, dropped out of a tree – not much.
How true did the filmmakers stay to the original?
They stayed true enough to compliment the film but they also made certain changes just to give it new life. They made that “Psycho” remake a few years ago that was shot for shot and I think they learned that what’s been done once, you don’t want to try to copy something. You want to give an homage and recreate it.
Who exactly is your character in “Texas Chainsaw Massacre?”
Well, me and Jessica Biel are boyfriend and girlfriend. We’re on a road trip with our friends. I think we’re actually on our way to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert...
You’ve also got a new TV show coming up, don’t you?
Yes. Tuesday nights at 9pm on the WB. It’s called “Fearless.” We – me and Rachel Leigh Cook – play FBI agents.
What kind of training did you go through for that role?
A lot of gun training, some fighting… We spent a couple of weeks with the FBI, working with them.
Do you have an FBI consultant on the set with you?
Oh yeah, we have a couple. We have an FBI consultant and a gun consultant. We have everything.
What’s it like playing opposite Rachel Leigh Cook?
She’s great. I dig her, I really do.
Are you going to be back on “Six Feet Under” at all? Even though your character's passed on, you've already been back once.
You have to wait and see (laughing)… You have to wait and see.
