The Texas Chainsaw Massacre could be heading back to screens, this time as a TV series! After a months-long bidding situation, A24 has won the rights to this new take on the horror franchise, which first introduced Leatherface and his family’s bloody ways in 1974. The series also boasts Glen Powell among its executive producers and The Long Walk writer JT Mollner attached to direct. According to sources, Powell will not appear to star in the project, however.
Also executive producing the series are Roy Lee and Steven Schneider of Spooky Pictures, Stuart Manashil, Image Nation’s Ben Ross, Powell and Dan Cohen of Barnstorm, and Exurbia Films’ Kim Henkel, who co-wrote the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre film and produced several of the franchise’s other entries. Exurbia’s Ian Henkel and Pat Cassidy will produce.
The same producing team, along with Image Nation, is also in early development on a Texas Chainsaw Massacre feature, though Mollner isn’t involved with the film.
“I’ve said publicly that I’m not interested in remaking perfect films, and the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a perfect film,” Mollner said in a statement. “[Director and co-writer] Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel created something bold, transgressive, and truly seminal that holds up even today as the gold standard for horror. When the opportunity for a long form exploration into this world arose, I saw it as a fresh way in, as well as a way to honor the existing folklore. I can’t imagine better partners for this approach than A24. This is truly an honor.”
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of my favorite films,” said Powell. “It defined a generation of horror films and over half a century after its release, it remains one of the definitive movies of my home state. I’m honored to have Barnstorm help bring in a new chapter for such an iconic title and franchise. With a marquee home in A24 and visionary filmmaker with JT Mollner, alongside our top shelf producing partners, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better team for such a dream property.”
Since the original 1974 film, there have been eight sequels, prequels and remakes, with the most recent being Netflix’s 2022 film.
