In Extremely Rare On-Set Interview, Robert Englund Explains Why Kane Hodder Wasn’t Cast in FREDDY VS. JASON
Considering there hasn’t been a new Nightmare on Elm Street movie since 2010’s much-disdained remake, and there hasn’t been one featuring Robert Englund (the actor most associated with iconic villain Freddy Krueger) since 2003, you’d think there’s nothing new to see in terms of behind the scenes footage, deleted scenes, and interviews—but you’d be wrong.
The folks at MovieWeb have just unearthed some truly stunning video footage of Englund on the set of Freddy vs Jason. It shows the actor in the makeup room, transforming into the wise-cracking, razor-fingered murderer nightmares at (literally) made of. It’s raw with no narration, text, or even an official interviewer, but that only adds to its authenticity. It’s over 20 minutes of loose, off the cuff conversations we’ll no doubt be unpacking for weeks!
Englund weighs in Kane Hodder’s omission from the film the Jason Voorhees actor had championed. It remains a sticking point with fans, and being replaced by Ken Kirzinger was a wound Hodder felt acutely for many years. It’s clear that Englund is being professional, doing his best to see things from Director Ronny Yu’s perspective. In a nutshell, size mattered:
“When you see Ken, you’ll see the reason why [he was chosen]. He’s really, really tall. And that’s what Ronny…That’s why he did it. It was just a size thing, it had nothing to do with Kane’s worthiness. Ronnie just had it in his head that Jason had to be absolutely humungous. And Ronnie is the director. The decision rests with him. Kane is a stuntman. So, there’s nothing in this movie that Kane couldn’t do. It’s just the size. Simply size. Kane is bulkier. And Ken is just really, really tall. There is a certain exaggeration of the whole story. The whole movie is kicked up a bit. I think that’s how Ronnie sees it. It’s a little larger than life.”
Englund also talks about Freddy’s Funhouse, a treatment he wrote as a proposed Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3. Obviously, we got Dream Warriors instead, but elements of Englund’s vision were incorporated into later Elm Street movies.
All in all, it’s a virtual treasure trove for fans of the franchise launched by Wes Craven in 1984. Carve out 20 minutes and settle in for an unprecedented peak being the curtain of Freddy vs. Jason. You’ll be glad you did. You can also revisit the synopsis and trailer for Freddy vs. Jason at the bottom of the article.
Synopsis:
Two horror icons face off in this supernatural movie. Disfigured serial killer Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), who attacks his victims in their dreams, has lost much of his power since citizens of his town have become less afraid of him. Enlisting the help of fellow violent murderer Jason Voorhees (Ken Kirzinger), Freddy orchestrates a new killing spree. However, when the hockey-mask-wearing psychopath won’t stop chopping up Freddy’s intended victims, the two ghouls start to battle each other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rg-xRhgfP4
What do you think of this rare interview with Robert Englund? How about his statements regarding Kane Hodder not getting the part of Jason Voorhees in Freddy vs. Jason? Sound off in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
