Dennis Hopper's son makes debut in teen horror

By Gregg Goldstein

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Henry Lee Hopper, the 17-year-old son of Dennis Hopper, will play the lead role in a new teen horror from Wes Craven.

The Rogue Pictures project, tentatively titled "25/8," also stars Denzel Whitaker ("The Great Debaters") and Shareeka Epps ("Half Nelson").

Hopper will play Bug, one of seven teens haunted by a serial killer who supposedly died when they were born 15 years earlier. The film takes place over the course of a day as the mystery of who (or what) is stalking the small-town high schoolers unfolds.

Hopper landed the lead after meeting Craven at a party for his godfather, Julian Schnabel. The pair bonded while discussing art, including the abstract expressionist paintings the teen made in his Venice, Calif., home studio. Craven said he fit the role of the initially naive, innocent Bug who is changed by strange events, and Craven invited Hopper to audition.

One might expect any son of Dennis Hopper to be perfect casting for a horror film. But the greatest surprise is that he appears to be a seemingly grounded teen despite being raised by one of Hollywood's most infamous wild men.

"I never really got the brunt of all that," said Hopper, who was born to actress Katherine LaNasa when his dad was 54. "I have two older (step)sisters that did, and I think it was really hard for them. Alcoholism played a big part in it all, so sobriety is something that's very valued in our family. Everyone has a dark side to them, and he's overcome it, so I don't feel outraged by it."

Hopper was 14 when he first watched his dad huff gas in "Blue Velvet" but didn't find it that disturbing. "'Speed' was a lot scarier because he got his head chopped off," he said. "But I wondered, 'Why does he always play these bad guys?' "

The young actor followed in the footsteps of his father, a student of Lee Strasberg, by studying Method acting for three years. He's also delved into "experimental noise rock" in a few bands with some friends. But the experiences of his dad and the parents with whom he lives on alternating weeks -- mom LaNasa and stepdad French Stewart ("3rd Rock From the Sun") -- kept him from pursuing acting professionally. "I've seen how the business aspect can drag you through a lot of s---," he said.