Interview with Kane Hodder

- written May 12th, 2009





- Kane Hodder has appeared in many, many movies, including the "Friday the 13th" series and now "BTK." Anyone looking for more info on Kane or his films, can visit him at his IMDB page.








Q: Mr. Hodder, can you explain how you first got into the movie business?


          A: I was studying Geography at the University of Nevada at Reno and one time I took a trip to Universal Studios (Hollywood) and saw the stunt show. I was hooked. I took a semester off to get into it and then just kept doing it. I was starving for 8 years but eventually started to make it.


Q: Would you please explain your acting role in "BTK."


          A:I play Dennis Rader, the BTK killer. Bind, Torture, Kill. It’s a welcome character from the usual roles I’ve had. I did play in the “Ed Gein” movie and I liked the role because it was more dramatic. Like that film, this too is a real guy and a very recent event. The big challenge was that Dennis Rader was well-liked and so I had to be likeable and then immediately turn murderous and violent. I tried to put some subtle things into the character though. He was a fairly bumbling guy and I tried to convey that with some of the scenes that he wasn’t the most efficient killer.










Q: Knowing how movie reviews may skew the perception of one's product, give us in your own words what you want people to know about the film.


          A: It was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It was low budget and we had little time but it follows the actual case, except for some of the extreme stuff which we couldn’t put into the movie. But it’s real murders, real stuff. It’s almost scarier watching him than a killer wearing a mask.










Q: If there were one part of the filming that was more difficult than you expected, what would that be? Getting a costume to work? Appearing in a certain scene? Certain lines?


          A: Seems probably like an outtake thing but I don’t wear glasses. But Dennis Rader does and when I’m killing people, I sweat a lot. And the glasses kept sliding off. They were a pain in the ass. One scene they fall off completely and they just left the scene in.










Q: Was there any one day, one moment where you just knew the film would work the way you thought it could?


          A: Might sound stupid but once I read the script and was given the part. I’ve waited a long long time for a part like this. It’s a character who can likeable but also murderous.


Q: Looking back, I see that you’ve also appeared in other films”. Can you tell me a little about each film and your experience with it? Let's start with "House II: The Second Story"?


          A: Well I worked on all 4 of them including “Horror Show” which was part 3. In the 2nd film, I played a small part in it. If you watch the scene, I get thrown off this balcony. But you know I’m not exactly a small guy and watch the scene closely. The guy I’m with, throws me off the balcony. He was huge. Watch it again and remember how big I am when he does this. He just hit me so hard and in real life he’d could have done that as well.


Q: Can you tell me then something regarding each of the other 3 films then?


          A: Tons of fun with the stunts. All of them had interesting cast members. The first film, the scene with the headless witch, I was in the garbage bag. The guy hitting the bag with the shovel…that was a real shovel and he was knocking the shit out of me. Very interesting casts…part 4 I was the face in the pizza.


Q: How about “Scanner Cop 2”?


          A: I was brought in as a stunt man. Basically they needed someone whose head would blow up. I had worked with the guy who did make-up effects before and they needed someone whose face could show real pain.


Q: How about "Wishmaster”?


          A: It was my first time to play a victim. Tony Todd, Robert Englund and I, all played victims. My good friend Andrew Divoff plays the Djinn. Very interesting to have that happen for us. I enjoyed it. Did you know I'm the only one to be a victim and play "Jason" as well [in the "Friday the 13th films"]? I am killed off camera but I do appear in the credits as a victim. I thought that was cool.


Q: What's next for you? Can you tell me what you have going on in 2009?


          A: Well I have several movies that are finished, coming out: "Sickle," "Frozen," "Old Habits Die Hard" and "Monsterpiece Theatre." I just keep killing motherfuckers! Hope the language is ok.


Q: No issues at all for me! If you and I were to talk 1 year from today, what do you think would be on your plate at that time?


          A: I hope to be talking to you about doing a comedy. I’m serious. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I think that would be interesting and something new for me.


Q: Is there any movie director or producer you’ve never worked for that you really want to work for one day?


          A: Wow, you’re coming up with some questions I’ve never been asked before. Um...wow....well, I worked only on stunts with David Fincher in “Seven” so maybe work for him in more of an acting role. Also an up and comer in Rob Hall.


Q: What do you look for when picking projects?


          A: If I really have a choice, I like roles where it’s a little bit different than what I’ve done before. That really attracts me to it…something a little different.


Q: Anything you wish to add for my readers and visitors? Something special about you that they probably do not know?


          A: Haha…people know a lot.


Q: Well when I asked Tiffany Shepis, she mentioned she watches “Grey’s Anatomy.” So maybe something like that? Tv show? Something just different.


          A: Ok...I never talk about it but since you asked...I tried out and qualified for Mensa. I love doing tests, especially IQ tests. I never signed up for it since most are just pompous assholes but I just wanted to see if I could qualify.


Q: Very Cool. Congrats on that! Ok, finally...this is an "Obscure Horror Movie" website. Can you name the last horror movie you watched? And then name a favorite horror film that you enjoy watching.


          A: Ok...I’ll throw in a skeleton in my closet with this question. Last movie I’ve seen...it’s been awhile. Man, not sure...I didn’t see the new “Friday the 13th” but I want to. I guess even though it was out awhile, I’d say “Silent Hill.” I kinda enjoyed it.

          As for my all-time favorite, it’s “The Exorcist.” It stands up through time. Still holds up.

          Finally an embarrassing film I’ve done. “Hard Bodies”...I was a geek at the beach...that’s my character name too. I was 29 years old and called “old geek.” Just watch it again and see me being an idiot!”


Q: Ok, I admit, I've seen that and now you're gonna make me go watch it again.


          A: Yes, go watch it. It's embarrassing!


Q: Thank you very much for doing this.

- END -





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