Lionsgate announced the cast of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D, and while the lead actors are a bunch of people you probably haven’t heard of and don’t care about, they’ve managed to get some familiar faces involved.
Biggest of all (no pun intended) is Gunnar Hansen, the original Leatherface, who never acted in another Texas Chainsaw film. He’ll be appearing in a cameo.
So will John Dugan, who played the Grandfather in the original film and will be repeating his same role here, probably with a lot less makeup (hey, it’s been 37 years!)
Final Girl from the original film (and star of Eaten Alive and Future-Kill!) Marilyn Burns will also appear in the film as Verna Carson.
Bill Moseley, still perhaps best known as Choptop in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part II, will play Drayton Sawyer, who was previously played in the remakes by the deceased Jim Siedow.
Leatherface himself will be played by a first-time actor, Dan Yeager. Director John Lussenhop knew he was perfect for the role immediately, after a chance meeting. He describes the 6’ 6” actor as having “huge farm boy arms, a brooding brow. He’s quiet, circumspect, and immediately struck a menacing chord with me. After five minutes, I could no longer think of anyone else for the role.”
Alexandra Daddario (Percy Jackson, Hall Pass) was cast as the lead female role of Heather Miller and as previously reported R&B Singer Trey Songz will be playing Heather’s boyfriend Ryan.
The story kicks off when Heather takes a trip to Texas to collect on her inheritance, which unfortunately still houses Leatherface. This explains all those initial reports saying that this was a direct sequel to the original film.
Rounding out the cast of friends visiting the inherited house are TANIA RAYMONDE (“Lost”) playing the role of Heather’s best friend Nikki, with acclaimed R&B singer TREY SONGZ making his film debut as Heather’s boyfriend Ryan and KERAM MALICKI-SANCHEZ (PUNISHER: WAR ZONE and JOHN Q) as Ryan’s friend. SHAUN SIPOS (“Melrose Place,” FINAL DESTINATION 2 and the upcoming HICK) plays Darryl in the film, a hitchhiker along for the ride who knows more than he lets on.
An all new cast of law enforcement and government professionals take on Leatherface in this chapter of the saga: THOM BARRY (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, INDEPENDENCE DAY, “Cold Case,”) plays the role of Sheriff Hooper, with PAUL RAE (TRUE GRIT) in the role of town mayor Burt Hartman. SCOTT EASTWOOD (FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, INVICTUS, GRAN TORINO) will portray Deputy Carl Hartman, a young officer who is battling a powerful attraction to Heather while hunting Leatherface. Noted character actor RICHARD RIEHLE (OFFICE SPACE) will play Sawyers family attorney Farnsworth.
John Luessenhop (Takers) is directing the film, which will be produced by Carl Mazzocone of the Saw franchise. Mazzocone got the rights to the property along with a deal to make up to SIX sequels. Wow.
Production starts this week at Millennium Studios in Shreveport Louisiana. More as we hear it, but good on all the original actors for cashing in.