Action movie mainstay Dolph Lundgren came surprisingly close to playing iconic villain Leatherface in 2003’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. While 1974’s original Texas Chainsaw Massacre film (or Texas Chain Saw Massacre, depending on who one asks) is a beloved classic of the horror genre, the same can’t be said for its follow-ups. Whether they be sequels, remakes, or prequels to remakes, many entries in the overall Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise range from mediocre to awful.
Perhaps the most controversial film in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre lineage is New Line Cinema’s 2003 remake. One of the first movies to emerge from the horror remake wave that’s consumed so much of the 2000s and 2010s studio output, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003 has proved extremely divisive among fans. While it’s a nearly universal opinion that the remake is a huge step down from director Tobe Hooper’s original, thoughts differ as to whether the remake is by itself a worthwhile slasher flick, or instead an entirely unnecessary retread that reflects poorly on the legacy of the first film.
Hulking actor Andrew Bryniarski ultimately played Leatherface in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, and by most accounts did a good job, if not on the level of original actor Gunnar Hansen. However, it turns out a much more famous performer was originally offered the gig.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Dolph Lundgren Almost Played Leatherface in Remake
To most movie fans, especially those who came of age in the 1980s, Dolph Lundgren should need no introduction. He’s still probably best known for playing Russian villain Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, but also played He-Man in 1987’s Masters of the Universe, and Frank Castle in 1989’s first movie adaptation of The Punisher. He’s been steadily making action films since, including the Expendables franchise. In 2018, Lundgren played King Nereus in the DCEU film Aquaman, as well as reprising his Ivan Drago role for Creed II.
While it’s kind of hard to imagine Lundgren playing the character, he was offered the Leatherface role in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, but turned it down, citing concerns it would keep him away from his family for too long a period. That’s an admirable reason to turn down the part, but one wonders what could’ve been if he’d taken the job. Lundgren is a huge man, and has a physicality and imposing presence that might make him ideal for playing Leatherface. Then again, if Lundgren was on producers’ radar, it’s no wonder they settled on Bryniarkski, himself a former body builder and portrayer of Zangief in the 1994 Street Fighter movie. Clearly, the intention was to make Leatherface not only a threat because of his chainsaw, but because of his physical power.
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