Tobe Hooper was responsible for creating the original 1974 horror hit, writing the script and serving as director and producer. He returns for the 2003 remake, giving his blessing to the filmmakers and serving as producer once again.
I had a chance to speak with Tobe Hooper at the World Premiere of the 2003 version. Here's what Leatherface's creator had to say about turning his 'boy' over to new filmmakers, the differences in the two films, and what's happening with the "Return of the Living Dead" series:
TOBE HOOPER (Producer, Original Screenwriter):
What point in the process did you get involved in this remake?
At the very beginning.
Did they approach you with a script idea on how they were going to remake it?
Yes, they came to Kim Henkel and myself to redo it. It slowly developed because I was doing other things, and it’s been about two years now.
How much input did you have in the remake?
I created Leatherface and the original "Chainsaw" and so there was a certain truth in that that I feel has been fused into this quite nicely.
Was it a hard decision to allow a remake? Doesn’t it feel like it’s your baby and then to let somebody else take it…
It’s still my baby. I mean, it’s Leatherface and in the history books you can’t separate Tobe Hooper and Leatherface (laughing). I’m happy to see my little boy back at it.
Have you seen the finished film yet?
Yes, it’s great.
What can fans of the original expect? Does it stay faithful to the first one?
Well, it’s different, it’s different from the original, but it’s scary and it’s fun.
When you say it’s different, what’s the biggest difference?
Ohhh, I can’t say, you have to check it out (laughing).
Is it the amount of gore?
No, it’s kind of like a "Rashoman" thing. It’s a different point of view.
What’s happening with "Return of the Living Dead" sequels? Are there any in the works?
No, I don’t know when the “Return of the Living Dead” [movies] are happening. That’s been on the Internet for years. It’s kind of not been happening for a while now. I just finished this film called "Toolbox" that stars Angela Bettis from "May" and Rance Howard, Juliet Landau, and Cherry Moon from House of 1,000 Corpses, and some other great actors.
When you see reports on the Internet that say you’ve got two “Return of the Living Dead” movies in the works, do you just laugh at those or are you still excited to see that fans want more?
I don’t laugh at them at all. No, no, no, they are very cool. The scripts are going along and then when it’s done, they’ll be done consecutively – two in a row. The original "Return of the Living Dead," I was originally attached to direct it and I wrote the story and then I took it to Dan O’Bannon. Production was delayed – they delayed the start date as all films do - but in the meantime I went to London to do "Lifeforce" and Dan O’Bannon directed the original.
Is it interesting to see all the remakes that are coming out and what do you think about that? Should so many classic movies be remade?
I’ll tell you I’ve dealt with that as a conundrum. People want to go to motion picture theaters to see it again, and this is a new film with new stars – new actors of today, the stars of tomorrow. You know, considering that, it’s a wonderful stage for classics to continue in the mind of the population way in the future.
ADDITIONAL "TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE" PREMIERE INTERVIEWS:
Jessica Biel ('Erin') and Director Marcus Nispel
Mike Vogel ('Andy')
Eric Balfour ('Kemper')
Special Guest - Sala Baker ("Lord of the Rings")
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
"Texas Chainsaw Massacre" Photos, Trailer, Credits, and Websites
