It looks as if Leatherface has found a new home. Deadline confirms TheInSneider‘s report that A24 is winning the film and TV rights to the classic horror franchise Texas Chainsaw Massacre. First up would be a series from JT Mollner and producers Roy Lee and Glen Powell. Powell is not currently involved in an acting capacity. Mollner previously directed Cowboys & Angels and 2023’s surprise genre hit, Strange Darling. He also adapted Stephen King’s The Long Walk which is in theaters now.
Assuming this deal goes through, it would put on ice a new film co-written and directed by Bryan Bertino (The Strangers) and produced by Oz Perkins (Longlegs). There’s also a Taylor Sheridan-produced project that would be off the table.
Lee and Netflix were behind the most recent movie in 2022 (review here), and could be involved in the next one with A24 aboard as producers.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre began with Tobe Hooper’s seminal slasher in 1974, and has launched loads of sequels, reboots, and remakes over the years. Michael Bay’s 2003 reboot is the highest grossing of the franchise with $107M.
A24 is currently behind a Friday the 13th prequel series, Crystal Lake, starring Linda Cardellini. Given its strength in the genre with films such as Hereditary, Midsommar, and The Witch, perhaps this is the best place for Texas Chainsaw Massacre to be.
