Few characters in modern horror can match Art the Clown, the deranged maniac who has been at the forefront of the Terrifiers series for over a decade (his feature debut in All Hallows) If you go back to the work) Eve’ anthology). Since then, he’s become a true icon of the genre, appearing in tons of merchandise and leading unlikely box office success stories, including 2022’s “Terrifier 2.” Now, Art is back for some Christmas carnage in the new “Terrifier 3.” This will likely further cement his status as the new IT boy of the horror world. But interestingly, As unrelenting and brutal as the on-screen art, the character turns out to be influenced by comedy icons.
/Film’s Jacob Hall recently spoke with ‘Terrifier 3’ writer/director Damian Leone, star David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown), and wrestler-turned-actor Chris Jericho did. During our conversation, Hall asked about artistic influences outside of the horror realm, specifically mentioning “Looney Tunes” as a possibility. “When I write these movies, that’s not the inspiration for me,” Leone said. But Thornton revealed that he sees Art the Clown as a kind of Bugs Bunny. About this he said:
“To answer your question about Looney Tunes, I certainly think in my mind that Art is like the Bugs Bunny of horror. He’s that mischievous, chaotic character. Sometimes it’s a drag.”
Thornton first appeared as the killer in 2016’s The Terrifier, and has now become synonymous with the role of Art the Clown. However, it was Mike Giannelli who originated the role in Leone’s short film The Ninth Circle and would go on to star in All Hallows’ Eve. However, when Gianelli declined to return as the art character for “The Terrifier,” Thornton seized the opportunity and the rest is horror history.
Art the Clown has a little bit of Charlie Chaplin and Mr. Bean in it
It’s important to bring up Giannelli. Because while Thornton made Art the Clown his own, he wasn’t starting from scratch. Still, Thornton definitely brought something to the role, a different level of physicality. It’s actually not hard to see Bugs Bunny in it after he says so, even if Bugs has never done anything as unpleasant as this murderous clown. (Art’s on-screen shenanigans have already led to him being ejected during screenings of “Terrifier 3.”)
Hall also asked if there are other silent stars who have influenced art beyond the famous Looney Tunes icon. When asked if he had any bit of Charlie Chaplin, star of classics such as “The Kid” and “The Gold Rush,” Thornton readily admitted that was the case.
“Oh, it’s definitely Chaplin. But the truth is, I treated him as the illegitimate son of Freddy Krueger and Harpo Marx.”
But that’s not all. Then Leone called out, “And Mr. Bean.” To which Thornton replied affirmatively, “And Mr. Bean.” Yes, in addition to Bugs Bunny and Chaplin, apparently British comedy icon Rowan Atkinson is also part of Art the Clown’s DNA.. To put a final cap on this whole bizarre Sunday, Thornton goes around in circles and draws out an unexpected connection between art and Harpo Marx.
“There’s a funny thing about this, and I realized this just about a month ago, when I was trying to unwind when I had a night to myself, and I found a bunch of old Marx Brothers movies on Amazon. I was sitting there wondering, what was Harpo Marx’s real name? This is what was always behind Art. ”
See if you can see the impact for yourself when “Terrifier 3” hits theaters on October 11, 2024.
