Exclusive: Stephen Dorff is taking the lead role of Hartman in the Millenniums Films’ Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel Leatherface. The film centers around a violent teen who one day will become Leatherface. He escapes from a mental hospital with three other inmates, kidnaps a young nurse and takes her on a road trip from hell. Along the way, they are pursued by an equally deranged lawman out for revenge.

Leatherface was written by Seth M. Sherwood and will be directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury. Pic is being produced by Christa Campbell, Lati Grobman and Carl Mazzocone who resurrected The Texas Chainsaw Masssacre in 2013. Les Weldon is also a producer on the feature which is being executive produced by Millennium’s Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson, John Thompson, Mark Gill and Beth Bruckner O’Brien.

Dorff recently wrapped Nick Love’s American Hero opposite Eddie Griffin, The Motel Life with Emile Hirsch and Dakota Fanning, and Zaytoun. His film credits include Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere, Michael Mann’s Public Enemies and Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center. Dorff is represented by Paradigm Talent Agency and managed by Beth Holden-Garland at Untitled Entertainment.