Doug Bradley became a horror icon playing Pinhead in the Hellraiser franchise, but creator Clive Barker actually offered him a different role first. While he’s since seemingly left the character behind for good, Bradley’s nearly 20-year tenure as Hellraiser’s lead Cenobite forever cemented the actor as a legendary figure in the eyes of horror fans. Bradley first played Pinhead in 1987’s original Hellraiser film, and would reprise the role in the first seven Hellraiser sequels, his last being 2005’s Hellraiser: Hellworld, which featured a young Henry Cavill.
Bradley brought a distinguished, confident air to Pinhead, but also a sense of menace. Pinhead wasn’t a being to be trifled with, as if one did, he would tear both their soul and body apart. Interestingly enough though, it was eventually revealed that Pinhead was once a decent man named Elliot Spencer, who had been driven to the dark side by his horrifying experiences in World War I. War is hell, and for Spencer, it’s what drove him to becoming Hell’s emissary.
Bradley boasts over 60 acting credits to his name, but if not for playing Pinhead, would his resume be so extensive? In an alternate universe, he would’ve had to find out, as Bradley almost took a different Hellraiser role.
Hellraiser: Pinhead’s Doug Bradley Almost Played a Different Role
As the story, which has been circulating around for decades, goes, Hellraiser writer/director Clive Barker offered Doug Bradley his choice of two roles, both with a limited amount of screen time. One was Pinhead, the other was a mover who’s seen helping Larry Cotton (Andrew Robinson) move a mattress up the stairs, and then spends a bit of time casting a lustful gaze at Larry’s daughter Kirsty (Ashley Laurence). Bradley is said to have seriously considered the mover role, because he was largely unknown at the time, and wanted to have his unaltered face clearly seen on camera in the film. Plus, as any Hellraiser fan knows, the make-up process for Pinhead is quite arduous.
Most versions of this anecdote say that Bradley eventually decided to play Pinhead, and the rest is history. However, some versions suggest that it was a competition between Bradley and actor Oliver Parker (who ended up playing “Moving Man #2,” as the character is called in the credits), with both wanting the non-makeup part, and that somehow Bradley lost that battle. Either way, Bradley definitely did consider playing a different Hellraiser role, as he’s made similar comments about having wanted his face clearly seen onscreen when talking about the film. Thankfully, he ended up becoming a legend instead.
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