Leatherface is perhaps the most interesting of all the franchise slashers, and I say that because he can barely even be held accountable for what he’s doing. As depicted in the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, he’s basically a big frightened animal, as terrified as the victims who unknowingly stumble into his lair. Sure, he commits gruesome acts of violence, but he takes no more pleasure in them than a chainsaw takes pleasure in slicing through human flesh. To him, humans are cattle. And he’s just protecting his family.
Of course, he’s also the most terrifying of the slasher icons. Go figure!
It’s no secret by now that real-life serial killer Ed Gein inspired the character of Leatherface, but director Tobe Hooper just revealed another source of inspiration that may surprise you. Speaking with New York Post, Hooper compared Leatherface to, of all things, a cartoon duck.
“[Leatherface] never became an adult,” Hooper explained. “He was like Baby Huey. It’s kind of the way I envisioned him from the cartoons.”
Created by Martin Taras, Baby Huey made his first appearance way back in 1949, and he was basically a big yellow duck who waddled around wearing a diaper. He just wanted to be like the other ducks, but his attempts to win over his peers always resulted in him becoming even more of an outcast. Baby Huey was often hunted by a fox, who desired to eat him.
So basically Leatherface. Without the chainsaw. Who knew?!