8 Horror Movie Re-Castings That Were TERRIBLE
2. Bill Johnson - Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2)
While most slasher icons were portrayed by multiple actors during their initial runs, Texas Chainsaw's Leatherface swapped actors with every movie. That makes it even more impressive then that to many fans the best and definitive actor is still the original, Gunnar Hansen.
Without speaking a word, Hansen's intimidating physical performance was a huge part of the movie's success, and still resonates with horror hounds to this day. As sequels would soon discover, it's easy to throw a spooky mask made of human skin on someone, but it's difficult for an actor to take the costume and truly embody it.
Hansen was ultimately replaced for the belated sequel - with one producer arrogantly claiming that nobody cared who played Leatherface - and in came Bill Johnson who, under direction of Tobe Hooper, played the killer completely differently.
There was always a bit of childishness to Leatherface, but here it was brought front and centre, with the exaggerated, often goofy mannerisms played to full effect. This fit the tone the film was going for admittedly - and Johnson is far from the worst Leatherface - but ultimately fans rejected the comedic performance, and pined for the astute blend that Hansen brought to the table.