A24 is getting to work on the next generation of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” already in development along with a new film…
A24 officially secured the rights to develop new projects in the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” universe and now the indie studio is getting to work.
A new television series based on the classic franchise that first launched in 1974 with Tobe Hooper’s classic film about a group of kids who end up running into a family full of murderous cannibals in the backwoods of Texas is officially in development.
J.T. Mollner — who wrote and directed the critically acclaimed thriller “Strange Darling” and also penned the recent Stephen King adaptation for “The Long Walk” — is heading up the series with Glenn Powell and Roy Lee serving as producers on the project.
“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 press release. “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 longform 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.”
Powell, a Texas native, was one of the first Hollywood heavyweights to throw his hat into the ring to potentially acquire and develop a new series based on the horror IP. Now he’ll serve as an executive producer on the new series as well as a film that’s in early development.
“The ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ is one of my favorite films,” Powell said. “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.”
As for the film — there are early talks for development on that as well, although Mollner isn’t attached to that particular project but the rest of the same team behind the series is also working on the latest movie.
Overall, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” has spawned nine total films including a remake and a prequel to the remake as well as numerous sequels with varying storylines in the canon. There’s no word yet if the new TV series is just a fresh restart to the entire franchise or perhaps Mollner is developing his show as a direct sequel to one of the other films.
Only time will tell but for now we’re about to get a whole lot more buzz in our lives with the return of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” — this time on both the big and small screen.
