If you're a fan of horror films, chances are you've had the pants scared off of you by Tony Todd more than once. The 6-foot-5 actor, best known for his titular role in 1992's Candyman, has starred in nearly three dozen films of the genre. Some highlights: Night of the Living Dead, The Crow, Hatchett I and II and four out of five Final Destination films. And, with 14 films in production, Todd is busier than the grim reaper.

After a decade and a half of carrying the torch (or the hammer, or the saw, or the switchblade) in front of the camera, Todd is finally ready to scare us from behind it. The accomplished actor is embarking on two directing projects: the thrillers Catalytic and Eerie, PA. But don't expect an old-school slasher like Todd to fall prey to today's "torture porn" trend.

"The horror film that I will ultimately make will be closer to the Rosemary’s Baby vein," Todd declared in an interview with ScreenRant.com. "Something that gets under your skin, truly. I don’t want you leaving laughing, I want to leave you shaking. That to me is true horror."

And he should know.

(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)