R.A. Mihailoff will long be remembered as the actor who portrayed the title character in the horror flick, Leatherface:The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III. He was born and raised in Crawford County and he's now back from Hollywood for good after spending a successful 30 years there.
"It was a lot of hard work, a lot of luck, and being in the right place at the right time,” says R.A.
R.A. believes this is the right time to be back in Crawford County. He's slated to star in a horror movie to be shot in Meadville called Pig Hill.
"I just read the latest version of the script and it's brutal,” says R.A.
Pig Hill is based on a book written by Nancy Williams of Meadville. The book was inspired by a scary myth about Radio Tower Hill in Meadville that has long been a part of the city’s folklore.
"According to urban legend, there are hideous, mutant pig people lurking in caverns somewhere around here,” says R.A.
"They didn't come down off the hill except to get supplies. So, if you came up here you better watch yourself,” says Ted Watts, Jr, the movie’s producer.
Ted is another Crawford County native who spent time in Hollywood but returned back home. He knew the spooky stories about Radio Tower Hill. He knew it would be a great movie after reading Nancy Williams’ book. And he knew it must be shot in Meadville.
"R.A. and I grew up with the notion 'Oh you've got to be in L.A. or New York.’ But we're going to do this here. We're going to make some stuff here. It's going to be really great and we'll keep doing it.”
Pre-production work on Pig Hill has already started. Shooting will begin April 15. Scenes will include not just Radio Tower Hill but many locations in Meadville that people will easily recognize.
"It's always been my goal no matter where I'm shooting movies to make good movies and work with my friends,” says R.A. “That's how it happened in California, and now, that's how it's happening in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. I couldn't be happier.”
The screenwriter for the movie is Jarrod Burris, who is originally from Erie and now based in Hollywood. The director is Kevin Lewis, who directed a comedy-thriller called Willy's Wonderland starring Nicolas Cage. A casting call for local actors to fill minor roles will be held in two weeks.