Hi there, horror friends, and welcome back to Horror Happenings! We’re excited to bring you a trailer for the new horror comedy starring genre favorites Robert Englund and Clint Howard, but first, there was some unfortunate news to wake up to as the genre community said goodbye to one of our favorites.
Horror Icon Gunnar Hansen Passes Away at 68
It was a sad day today for horror fans as this morning we learned that Gunnar Hansen, the Icelandic actor who portrayed Leatherface in Tobe Hooper’s cult classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, passed away. He was 68 years old and had been battling pancreatic cancer. USA Today reports that Hansen is survived by his partner of thirteen years, Betty Tower.
Hansen moved with his family from Iceland to Maine when he was a small child and then to Texas when he was a teenager. It was there, after completing graduate school, that he landed the iconic role of Leatherface, which made him a horror favorite over the years. Hansen appeared in almost thirty films including the 2013 hit Texas Chainsaw 3D. While Leatherface may have terrified audiences for decades, Hansen was known by many to be a gentle and kind man. The actor, producer, and screenwriter recently wrote a book, Chain Saw Confidential, about the making of the controversial horror favorite.
Rest In Peace, Mr. Hansen and thank you for the (terrifying) memories!
Robert Englund’s Latest The Funhouse Massacre Coming to Theaters This Friday!
On a much lighter note, a new horror comedy is hitting select theaters in the US this Friday the 13th and you should know about it!
Ben Begley and his wife Renee Dorian wrote and play two of the heroes in the independent film The Funhouse Massacre. Directed by Andy Palmer, The Funhouse Massacre is a love letter to Begley and Dorian’s favorite slasher flicks of the ’80s and ’90s. So, if you are looking to extend your Halloween celebration–and let’s be honest, 11 and a half months is a long time to wait for Halloween–then this one’s for you!
The film takes place on Halloween night, when the United States’ most notorious and deranged serial killers escape from an asylum and descend upon a funhouse whose theme is based on their different reigns of terror. The unsuspecting carnival goers assume the carnage is all just part of the show – that is, until they become part of the main attraction. All of your favorite creepy carnival bits are on display from scary clowns to Clint Howard and lots more!
Have a look at the trailer below and get just a taste of the carnival carnage that’s coming your way.
The Funhouse Massacre, starring Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger himself!), Jere Burns, Scottie Thompson, Clint Howard, and Courtney Gains, hits select AMC theaters this Friday, November 13th. Tickets are available now at Fandango and AMC Theatres!
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Featured Image Credit: DeviantArtist Mister Bones
Clarke Wolfe writes Horror Happenings for Nerdist every Sunday. You can follow her on Twitter @clarkewolfe.
