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David Howard Thornton Talks ‘Terrifier 3’ and Playing Art the Clown in the Future

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2024

In horror fan circles across the globe, Art the Clown no longer needs an introduction. His brutal, and overtly violent nature has nearly made him a household name. With the bloody premiere of Terrifier 3 just on the horizon, we can only assume his legend will grow, but what about the man under the paint, David Howard Thornton? What drew him to such an odd, and very clearly psychopathic clown in the first place?

Terrifier 3

We recently had the chance to chat with David, and he gave us some really awesome insight into his perspective on playing Art, his ambitions for the character’s future, and more!

iHorror: David, how are you?

David Howard Thornton: I’m doing well, how are you doing?

I’m good, thanks for your time. So, dude… Terrifier 3! We know Art’s back. We know it’s Christmas. What can you tell us beyond that?

Oh, gosh. Art’s going to ruin Christmas for everybody. (Laughing.) Especially for poor Sienna. Oh, poor, poor Sienna. The poor Shaw family in general.

Lauren LaVera is back. (As Sienna.)

She is fantastic in this.

What was it like reuniting?

It was wonderful. I was so happy to be back on screen with her. To actually have a really good fight scene with her, as well, that was a lot of fun. I feel like we’re so close now, so it’s always fun to work with her. Same with Eliot (Fullam), who plays Jonathan. I love those guys.

Of course, it’s a gory movie. It, well, it goes hard…

Yeah, a little bit. (Laughing.)

What was the vibe like on set, though? When the cameras weren’t rolling.

It was fun. We had a lot of fun on set. A lot of joking around, and a lot of things we couldn’t believe we were doing. It was like – what is wrong with us? It was a good vibe all around on set. We’re all really close, and I think that translates well to the screen. When you’re having fun, I think the audience is going to have fun, too.

When you have good chemistry, it just makes a huge difference.

It does, and Damien (Leone) has been so good at casting people for these films who do have good chemistry together. I especially look at Antonella (Rose), who was cast as Gabbie in this one. She and Lauren were so good together on screen.

Obviously, you’re nothing like Art in real life. I would hope. (Laughing.)

No., there are no bodies in my basement. (Laughing.)

How do you get into that headspace? I mean, Art’s not your typical horror villain. He goes a little bit extra.

I don’t know what it says about me, but it doesn’t really take me much at all. I guess it’s because I did my research before I took on the role. That’s how I am as an actor, once I know who the character is, I know where they live in my head, so I can just bring them in and bring them out. I don’t have to do anything complex to get into the character on set. I can just turn him on, and turn him off. I think everybody on set is grateful for that, so I’m not acting like him the whole entire time.

What drew you to Art, originally? What made you want to be this crazy clown?

I saw All Hallows Eve before I even knew about the audition for Terrifier. I loved the character, and I saw a lot of potential with him. He was kind of like a slasher version of Mr. Bean. I’ve always wanted to play a character like that. A silent, mischievous character. So, when the audition notice came up, I had to do it. I was so excited about it, and wanted to play the character so badly. I felt like there was a lot I could bring to him to further evolve him. I’m so happy I’ve gotten the chance to do that.

Especially without speaking, you do bring a lot to the role. Art has his own personality. He communicates visually instead. Did you do any research into clowning, or into miming when you took the role?

Oh, yeah. I’ve done that my entire life, though. I have a long appreciation for great, physical comedians, silent film acting, and creature acting. I just love it. I grew up doing a lot of physical comedy, I would model what I was doing off of those legends. I also had the honor to be the understudy for five years to Stefán Karl (Stefánsson) who played Robbie Rotten on LazyTown. He actually was trained in clowning and mime work, so he was able to take me aside and tweak what I had been cultivating my entire life. So, when I got cast as Art, I called Stefán up and he gave me some good tips and everything. All the way until his unfortunate passing, he was very supportive of it.

If there is one thing you want the audience to know about this film, what would it be?

It deals a lot with trauma, and how it affects people in different ways. That’s a big plot point to the film. I think it was handled in a very good way. It takes Sienna on such an interesting journey, and it makes her a much more dynamic character than you see in a lot of other films. I think Art has a lot of fun, too. People are going to enjoy it. I love his dynamic with Victoria (Samantha Scaffidi) in this. They have such a fun dynamic in this one. Art’s a sadistic bastard in this one, and I think people are going to have fun with it.

I hear we might be getting a part 4? Would you keep doing it? Are we looking at maybe the next iconic horror villain? Will it keep going?

That’s what I would love. I love this guy, I don’t want to give him up soon! I want to play him as long as possible. I think there’s so many more things to find, and see, and do with him. I’m willing to play him as long as I physically can, and if I’m 90 years old and still bopping around like Dick Van Dyke, I’ll do it.

Ok, so fun question for you. Who is your favorite horror character, and who is Art’s favorite horror character?

Mine, and I think it would also be Art’s, is Freddy Krueger. I think Freddy is the king, he’s the most creative horror character ever created. It’s just such a wonderful concept. He’s so scary, and charismatic, and the whole idea that he is not in the physical realm, he is in the mental realm. He’s in your dreams. That makes him unescapable in a lot of ways. You can always get in a car, or a plane, or a boat, and get away from Jason, or Chucky, or Michael Myers, even Art. You can’t do that with Freddy. He’s there, in your head. That’s horrifying. Then, with the dream world, there’s infinite possibilities. I love that. He’s so cool.

So, who wins? Art, or Freddy?

The audience. (Laughing.)

I love that answer. (Laughing.) Would you do it? Art versus Freddy, or anything like that?

Totally. That would be fun. I would like to see Art go up against The Janitor character (Nicholas Cage) in Willy’s Wonderland. Just make it a silent movie and have the two of them going at it the entire time.

I would totally watch that! Anything else you’d like to mention, David?

I have at least two other films coming out that I know of. One is called The Dead Place. I play a character called The New Kid, and I actually have lines in this one, so that should be fun for everybody! They are working on the release of that, hopefully it will be sometime soon. The other one is called Screamboat, you may have heard of that one. I play that mischievous mouse, Willy.

That had to be fun.

So much fun. A lot of makeup. A lot of hot costumes and makeup, but it was a lot of fun, and it’s a great horror comedy coming to theatres in January. If you love Disney, you’re going to love this movie, because we tackled so many tropes and we’re poking fun of the movies, the characters, and the cult that surrounds Disney. It’s a lot of fun.

We look forward to checking both out! Good luck with everything, David!

You can catch David as Art the Clown in Terrifier 3! Coming to theatres October 11th, courtesy of Cineverse! Oh, yes… there will be blood.

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News

‘Behind the Mask 2’ Slays Kickstarter

Published

9 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Piper St. James

If you are hardwired into the horror community there is no doubt you heard the gasp around the internet earlier this month when Behind the Mask II: The Return of Le s lie Vernon was announced. The announcement of the long anticipated sequel came at a screening of the original at American Cinematheque in Los Angeles.

That same evening we also learned that Behind the Mask’s director Scott Glosserman as well as writer David J. Stieve will be returning to the film. Furthermore, cast members Nathan Baesel, Angela Goethals, and Robert Englund will be reprising their roles from the original.

*Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon*

A Kick into Overdrive

While the sequel is happening one way or another, a Kickstarter campaign was established. The money pledged would allow the filmmakers to create a movie that goes above and beyond their original budget.

As the campaign’s page states;

“The film is happening, that’s no-take-backs. If we hit these goals, it makes it possible to do it bigger, bloodier, and bolder.”

The campaign goes on, saying;

“This is not a “save the movie” campaign. The movie is happening. Kickstarter is how we make it our way. “

Roughly two weeks after the sequel’s announcement, the campaign launched with a modest day one goal of $20,000. To say that fans crushed this number is an understatement. In 9 minutes they reached their goal. In less than 24 hours the amount of backers climbed to over 300, and the pledges donated totaled more than $100,000!

Get to the Good Stuff!

For pledging, the moviemakers have included incentives that are truly in line with what the horror community wants.

The rewards begin at $25 with a digital streaming link of Behind the Mask II: The Return of Leslie Vernon. Tiers continue on as the pledge amounts increase. T-shirts, posters, Blu Rays and scripts are just some of the middle tier goodies. The larger donation amounts are rewarded with on screen “Special Thank You”s and various producer credits.

Nathan Baesel as Leslie Vernon in *Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.*

It is the ‘Exclusive Add Ons’ where things get really interesting. Once a backer has already pledged, they can add on additional perks. These additions include

“accessories, autographs, props, and truly unique, fan forward in-person experiences… all intended to complement your chosen reward tier!”

One of the unique add on perks includes VHS tapes of the original Behind the Mask or the sequel, your choice! Given the fact the first movie was created right on the heels of when VHS was truly dead, older horror fans will especially find this perk an exciting addition to their vintage collection.

The reward add-ons also have the horror prop collectors in mind. You can purchase Leslie Vernon’s weapon of choice, a scythe, as well as his mask. Both of these are signed by actor Nathan Baesel.

For more personal experiences, you can add on a visit to the Behind the Mask II set during filming! You can also choose a cast and crew screening in LA or New York, complete with an after party. Finally, for the crème de la crème; you can be killed onscreen by Leslie Vernon himself!

Powered by the Fans

Behind the Mask II: The Return of Leslie Vernon is the little slasher movie that could!

For two decades the creators tried to find ways to make Leslie’s legacy continue. A failed first Kickstarter, rumors, teases, and false starts all led to the delay of a dream.

For twenty years the movie’s cult gathering slowly formed, cultivated, and grew louder and louder. Too loud to be ignored.

From the set of *Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.*

As soon as the campaign went live, horror fans donated their hard earned money. And let’s face it; we are currently living in a time where the dollar doesn’t stretch as far. The fact that the long awaited sequel gained so much traction and backing, so quickly, really demonstrates the community’s love, support, and anticipation for Behind the Mask II: The Return of Leslie Vernon.

It looks like Leslie Vernon will finally be returning!

News

The Best Possible Person Is Directing A24’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Published

15 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Luna Gray

A24 went into a competitive auction, beat out Blumhouse, acquired one of the most difficult pieces of IP in the genre, and then gave the job to a director with one feature film to his name. That is a wild risk to take on such a young talent. But also, it’s Curry Barker, so we get it.

Curry Barker is writing and directing a reimagining of the 1974 original created by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel. As we have talked about before, A24 announced the acquisition back in February with no director attached. At least we have that figured out.

Who Curry Barker Is

Barker got here through Obsession, a film he made for under a million dollars that played TIFF Midnight Madness and sold to Focus Features for north of $14 million. He built the career that got him into that room starting on YouTube, which is the kind of origin story that should not end with A24 handing you a legacy franchise before your first wide release even opens. And yet, here we are.

The Franchise and the People Behind It

The 1974 original has since produced eight sequels and remakes. Some are far better than others. The franchise has been a problem for a long time and everyone who has touched it since the original has found a different way to confirm that.

A24 formally announced the acquisition earlier this year after winning the rights in a competitive bid. The producers are Roy Lee, Steven Schneider of Spooky Pictures, and Kim Henkel through Exurbia Films. Henkel co-created the original with Tobe Hooper.

One More Thing

There is also a separate Texas Chainsaw Massacre TV series in development at A24 from JT Mollner. Different project. The film and the series are happening at the same studio simultaneously, which means A24 now has more Leatherface in development than anyone has since the franchise was actually relevant. Barker’s film has no release date yet. Obsession opens May 15.

News

ITCH Is the Outbreak Film That Actually Gets Under Your Skin

Published

19 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Luna Gray

No one would blame you for looking at ITCH and filing it under zombie film. Because it is. The outbreak spreads person to person. People stop being people. The world ends a little bit. You know how it goes.

What Bari Kang actually made is something with a different mechanism at its center. The contagion does not spread through biting. It spreads through scratching. You scratch yourself. This makes you sick while it is happening. You scratch because someone near you scratched and something in your brain said that looks right.

I talked to Kang about it. Turns out it was not a deliberate subversion. “It was never meant to be a zombie film,” he told me. “That happened along the way.” The idea came during COVID. He watched someone scratching in a store and could not stop thinking about it. “What if that’s how something spreads?” He started writing from there and somewhere in the process the zombies arrived. “All of a sudden I had these zombies running around.” He went that route without going that route.

Why the Scratch Works

We all get how zombies work. They bite, someone hides their bite, sometime later everyone is dead. Kang’s instinct was that the scratch would do something different. “It’s really visceral and contagious,” he said. “I figured if I could lean into that, that might work well.” He was right.

There is something about watching someone scratch that is harder to look away from than watching someone get bitten. You feel it on your own skin. The sympathy itch is real and ITCH knows it and uses it without being cute about it. That is craft. For a film Kang wrote, directed, produced, and starred in himself, that is not a small thing.

Who Is Bari Kang

The short version: he decided he wanted to be an actor, spent a year auditioning and booking nothing, and then casting director Judy Henderson, who was in the middle of casting Homeland at the time, told him to go write his own stuff. “I was like, oh, you can do that,” he told me.

He said: “Nobody’s coming to give you a hand. There’s no handouts. It seems like we need permission or something to do it, but you just gotta get out there.” Yeah. That.

The Rule About Lore

There were versions of ITCH that explained what the itch was, where it came from, who started it. Kang cut all of it. The less he showed, the more the film asked audiences to do the work themselves. And audiences who do the work are more scared than audiences who are shown everything.

ITCH does not explain itself and it does not need to. A film about a contagion that spreads through something you cannot stop yourself from doing, made in the aftermath of a pandemic everyone lived through, does not require a mythology breakdown. It requires you to sit with what it is suggesting. Which is worse.

ITCH is available now.