Stuntman and actor Kane Hodder overcame a difficult childhood and a fire stunt which went terrifyingly wrong to become a bona fide horror movie icon, playing Jason Voorhees in four Friday the 13th films and creating the role of Victory Crowley in the Hatchet series (the most recent of which, Victor Crowley, is released on VOD, digital platforms, Blu-ray, and DVD on Feb. 6). His ultimately uplifting tale is detailed in a new documentary, To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story, which features interviews with Bruce Campbell, Robert Englund, Cassandra Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira), Hatchet director Adam Green, and Hodder himself. The film has been acquired by Epic Pictures’ newly established horror label Dread Central Presents, which is aiming to release it this summer.

“I hope his story continues to inspire its viewers, and I cannot wait to get this labor of love in front of audiences worldwide,” says the documentary’s director, Derek Dennis Herbert. “Kane’s story resonates with people because it is a human interest story over anything else. Don’t get me wrong — horror fans will love it, but anyone who likes a phenomenal story of strength will be cheering by the end.”

“It was always important for me from the start to curate a diverse slate for Dread Central Presents,” says the label’s director of distribution, Rob Galluzzo. “The film that Derek made about Kane’s life is terrific, emotional, and incredibly moving. We’re so, so thrilled to help get it out into the world, and give it the release it deserves.”