With the most highly-anticipated horror film opening in theaterstoday comes an exclusive interview with the actors portraying thetitle characters. Robert Englund and Ken Kirzinger, Freddy andJason, chatted with me one fine day this week and here’s what theyhad to say:

Robert Englund

Q: How early does this project date back to?

A: It’s origins start with the fans. I remember as far back as1986 fans would come up to me and ask if I could kick Jason’s ass.The whole thing took off in 1999, and I kinda thought it would be asummer 2000 film.

Q: How did you get the role of Freddy originally?

A: I as doing a play here with George Went from Cheersand I went on an interview for this Wes Craven movie “Nightmare onElm Street.” I knew about Wes from “Last House on the Left” and Ireally liked his work. I went into the interview, and I just shutmy mouth. I took some cigar ash and put it in my eyes, and I juststarted playing staring games with Wes while he told me theseideas. Meanwhile, I really wanted to jump around withexcitement.

Q: What’s your personal favorite Friday the 13thfilm?

A: I like “Jason Goes to Hell.”

Q: What’s your personal favorite Nightmare of Elm Streetfilm?

A: I’d say the first and the seventh. I think the seventhfilm was great, and it was the pre-cursor to the Scream movies.Audiences sorta rediscovered it on DVD and video. I think the fanslike three and four the best. 1 and 7, ’cause they’re both I think7 is a great movie, and he made that just before the Scream movies.Audiences sorta rediscovered that on DVD and video. I think thefans like 3 and 4 the best.

Q: Was it a letdown that you didn’t get to workwith Kane Hodder?

A: I love Kane. We did Wishmaster and the cover ofRolling Stone together. Ronny (Wu) had something else in mind, areally elongated Jason was always in his mind’s eye. Kane Hodder is6’1″ &- Ken Kirzlinger in 6’7″.

Q: How do you think Ken Kirzinger did with the role ofJason?

A: I like it. I just thought of him as a big dog, and hesorta plays it like that. He also plays it where he is really slow,but everyone once in a while he moves with lightning speed.

Q: How do you compare the modern horror movie to those ofthe 70’s and 80’s?

A: There are still good horror movies out there. I justsaw this great movie “May” &- it’s a great, nasty, gruesomelittle horror film. I think the audiences are so spoiled.Filmmakers will just put a bunch of CGI into their film, even if itdoesn’t make any sense.

Q: What does the future hold for Freddy?

A: I don’t know. The only rumor I know is that there’s agreat script going around – It’s a prequel to “A Nightmare of ElmStreet.” It’s sort of a cop/serial killer movie about pre-killedFreddy. There’s also a rumor that Freddy and Jason are gonna meetAsh. I’ve heard that a lot these days…and I love Bruce Cambell.He’s also richer than God…he and Sam Reimi.

Q: What do you think the value of a horror movie is?

A: We’re all so youth obsessed now. We’re all gettingboob jobs and hair transplants. No one thinks of the logic in life- we’re gonna die. I think when you watch a horror movie, it’s theonly time you REALLY face your OWN morality. Well, maybe that andthe Driver’s Ed video. People think they’re gonna live forever, andthey’re not ‘case I’m gonna get ’em!

Ken Kirzinger

Q: How did you get the role of Jason?

A: I went it to interview for the stunt coordinating job,’cause I did “Friday the 13th Part 8.” The producers knew theyneeded somebody of my stature…and called me a few weeks later,asking to audition for Jason and I jumped at the chance. So theybrought me in with a hockey mask on, had a meeting with theproducers, and they gave me the job before I walked out of theroom.

Q: Besides yourself, who do you think played the bestJason?

A: It would have to be Kane Hodder. Kane played him fourtimes and really developed quite a fan following.

Q: Have you received any negative responses from old KaneHodder fans?

A: Not really, ’cause once fans looked at my resume andsaw what I done in my past they sorta said “if someone has to takehis place, we’re glad it’s you.”

Q: What’s your personal favorite Friday the 13thfilm?

A: Well, then I’d have to say “Friday the 13th Part 8:Jason Takes Manhattan”, the other I was involved in. I did asequence as a fry counter…and I doubled Jason a few times, so Igot to put on a suit.

Q: What’s your personal favorite Nightmare of Elm Streetfilm?

A: The first one. The first one was just so creative andinnovative…on a shoestring budget, too. They did such a greatjob.

Q: What horror movie has given you the mostinspiration?

A: I think probably for this &- “Frankenstein”really gave me some inspiration for playing Jason. Jason is sortathe Frankenstein of this generation and Freddy’s like the Draculaof this generation.

Q: Compare the horror movies of today to those of the70’s and 80’s.

A: I think they’ve gotten a little bit more gory with theadvent of computer generated imagery – they can do more. There’s ascene in this movie where Kelly Roland gets her nose cut off. Andto be able to do that realistically is pretty amazing.

Q: What is the value of a horror film?

A: Well, it’s escapism. I think people have a desire intheir day to day lives if they’re not getting that adrenalinepump.

Q: What does the future hold for Jason?

A: Well, hopefully another movie. If this does well,there’s a good chance that Jason will appear in something else, soI have my fingers crossed for that.