Kane Hodder is one of the most famous names in the horror industry today. His work on films such as Hatchet and the Friday the 13th franchise has earned him a legion of fans. Recently he could be seen on Zone Horror in the movie Room 6 and his latest movie, B.T.K. is due on DVD September 8th. So we decided to chat to Kane about his work and how he prepared for one of the strongest acting jobs of his career.

ZH: Did you know from an early age that you wanted to be in the cinema industry?

KH: I had always entertained my friends in high school by doing crazy stunts on my bicycle and dangerous acts on top of high buildings and ledges but it wasn’t until I was 19 that I really considered a career as a professional stuntman.

ZH: When did you get your big break and what production was it?

KH: After 2 solid years of trying to break into the stunt business I finally got lucky. In January of 1977 I got a stunt part in a TV show called “Emergency”. I played a worker trapped on top of a burning oil refinery tower and I had to go across a rope to another tower for the rescue. Ironically, I played a burn victim and 6 months later I was burned badly doing a stunt.

ZH: Can you recall your feelings being on a set for the first time?

KH: I was in awe being on the set that first day. One thing that sticks in my mind was that I had a dressing room to myself and I just couldn’t get over that fact. Pretty funny to think about now. But I knew from that first day that this is the business I wanted to be in for the rest of my life. It wasn’t like a job. It was just fun as hell.

ZH: How did you approach the character of Dennis L Rader, the real life killer in your new movie B.T.K.?

KH: Of course, I wanted to make him as murderously violent as he really was, but I also wanted to play him as a little bit of a screw up. A guy where not everything went off perfectly during his murders. A little inept, I guess. But still make him as intelligent as he was to be able to span 30 years with his murders without being caught. It was also a great role because a lot of people really liked Rader, so I had to play some scenes in a likeable way and then turn around and strangle someone the very next minute. A lot of range of emotions in that character.

ZH: How different was it playing a real person rather than a fictitious one?

KH: It’s a little weird doing murder scenes in a movie that actually happened in real life. Especially since his case is pretty recently revealed. With Jason (Voorhees), I’m used to coming up with some of the kills from my own twisted imagination.

ZH: Was Rader a character that was hard to shake off at the end of the day?

KH: I never have a problem shaking off a terribly violent character at the end of a shooting day. Unless of course, some asshole cuts me off on my way home.

ZH: Did you have to do much research into his life?

KH: I already knew his whole story because one of my hobbies is reading true crime stories. Serial killer stories in particular. I have read every major serial killer story from the last 50 years. It fascinates me.

ZH: Would you like to do more similar roles?

KH: I will always enjoy playing the killer or bad guy. I’ve been told I do it pretty well. I thoroughly enjoy scaring people. More than one actor has said, “He doesn’t stop, even when the director yells CUT” !!!! Like I said, I love my job.

ZH: What’s your honest opinion of horror cinema today?

KH: I’m not one of those people that feel it necessary to berate certain types of horror movies. Or the state of horror today. I just love horror movies and I always will.

ZH: Have you ever been “star struck” at anytime?

KH: I wouldn’t say that I’ve ever been star struck but I was definitely in awe every day on the set watching Charlize Theron portray Aileen Wuornos in “Monster”. I was the stunt coordinator so I worked with her every day and I also played the cop that arrests her at the end of the movie. I learned a lot just watching her work. Amazing.

ZH: You’ve been part of the horror movie scene for sometime and for many gave the definitive Jason Voorhees performance. How proud are you of your Friday the 13th association?

KH: I’m extremely proud of my association with the Friday movies. I will never be embarrassed that I became known for that. It will always be a highlight of my career. I have been very fortunate. 

ZH: What’s the most bizarre or strange experience you’ve ever had at a convention?

KH: I would have to say it’s either the guy who seriously begged me to chop off his pinky finger with a hatchet (true story) or the twins that were so afraid to meet me that they both literally passed out simultaneously when I jumped up from the autograph table and lunged toward them. How can I be expected to not do that when someone says they are terrified to just say hello? Yeah, I’m a sick b*****d, I guess.

ZH: Any truth you’re returning to our screens as Victor Crowley in Hatchet 2?

KH: Yes. I look forward to playing Victor Crowley again. Especially knowing the story for the sequel. It will be unbelievable

ZH: So what’s next for you?

KH: I would love to do a comedy. Yes, that’s what I said. Comedy. You got a problem with that?………………Didn’t think so……………….!

ZH: Kane Hodder, thank you very much