#Edwin neal hitchhiker series#

As fate would have it, the ranger arrives just in time to help local radio DJ Vanita ‘Stretch’ Brock ( Caroline Williams ), who recently became the Sawyers’ target. Although it took him over a decade, he has finally tracked the cannibalistic barbecue cookers and killers, now known as The Sawyers. Partain ) a mere thirteen years prior, Texas Ranger Lieutenant ‘Lefty’ Enright ( Dennis Hopper ) has come out of the woodwork seeking vengeance. Following the deaths of his niece, Sally ( Marilyn Burns ), and Franklin ( Paul A. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is a tale of revenge and BBQ, just like any other good story. Mind you, that’s less than most films get for any phase of production.Īs a result, Carson began writing the screenplay as fast as possible. As part of the deal, the sequel would go into production in May for an August 22nd release. In this one, they’ll be killing yuppies !” Not thinking about the more profound commentary or tone in this notion, the studio approved the story on the spot. Thus, the pair pitched Cannon Films with the following: “ I n the first one, the family was killing hippies. The screenwriter immediately cottoned to the idea of writing something fun and subversive. Undeterred, Hooper then presented the notion of Chainsaw 2 to the acclaimed screenwriter of Paris, Texas (1984) - and a native of The Lone Star State - L.M. While I feel Henkel’s idea would’ve been a hoot, Cannon Films ultimately rejected it, at which time Henkel chose to exit the project. The intent was to parody Motel Hell (1980), which itself was a satire of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. As luck would have it, Henkel had an idea for a sequel that involved a whole Texas town filled with cannibals.

#Edwin neal hitchhiker series#

Logically, the first person Hooper approached about the sequel was Chain Saw co-creator, Kim Henkel (who would later return to this series with his opus, 1994’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation ). It was an approach that would fly better in the 1980s than any other decade as horror was booming in all its subgenres. On the contrary, he wanted to take things in a more fantastical and comedic direction. By this point, the original TCM had garnered a reputation as a true horror classic, and Hooper knew darn well that it would be unwise to rehash that first film. Thus, Hooper had only intended to be a producer and co-writer on the sequel. Luckily, this obligation to make a sequel could still be met, even without Hooper in the director’s chair … or so he thought. As part of this deal, the indie distributor required one of Hooper’s projects be a sequel to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). That opinion changed, though, when he signed a three-picture deal with the king of the schlockmeisters, Cannon Films (1967-1994).

More than anyone, though, the original movie’s director and co-writer, Tobe Hooper (1943–2017), considered a follow-up unnecessary. Heck, I feel the same way as the fans sometimes, considering how bad some of the sequels in this series have been ( the latest is a prime example). After all, many folks - myself included - find that first film to be a perfect one. Despite covering The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise for this column, many horror fans would argue that the original 1974 film should have never become one.