.
.
The 2011 edition of Texas Frightmare Weekend starts today, April 29, and we’ve got a special treat for you guys. I had the chance to do a rather candid interview with one of the show’s very special guests, the one and only Robert Englund. The man who defined a horror icon with Freddy Krueger in the A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET film series discusses his upcoming horror project INKUBUS, which sounds and looks really creepy, and even touches upon the long-running rumor that he tested for Luke Skywalker in the original STAR WARS. The word was that he not only read for Luke, but suggested Mark Hamill for the role when he wasn’t chosen. Robert’s explanation of the real story is actually even more interesting, and clarifies exactly how things went down. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with Robert before, back when FREDDY VS. JASON came out, and I can honestly tell you that Mr. Englund is one of the nicest celebrities you’re likely to ever meet. He’s generous with fans and honest and open with the press. I’m very excited to see him again this weekend, and hear his Q&A, which will undoubtedly be epic. For more information on Texas Frightmare Weekend, check out the official show website.
To listen to the full 14-minute interview, CLICK HERE to open your selected media player, or right-click HERE and download the MP3 to your computer.
While I highly recommend you listen to the interview to hear Robert’s story, if you’re just dying to know the STAR WARS bit and either can’t hear the audio or flat out refuse to listen to it, here’s the skinny – Robert notes he was actually reading for the role in a surfer movie, which he didn’t get, but the casting director suggested he walk across the hall to read for another film… STAR WARS. He mentions he was dressed (oddly enough) similar to Han Solo, and the role he read for was in fact Han Solo, which he also didn’t get. At the time Robert was living with Mark Hamill in an apartment, and suggested Mark go read for STAR WARS, and Mark ended up getting Luke Skywalker. So there ya go, if it wasn’t for Robert Englund, Mark Hamill wouldn’t have become Luke, and the beloved space classic wouldn’t be the film we know so well today. Be sure to tell everyone where ya heard this!
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
