3 Years After a Failed Sequel, One of the 1970s Best Horror Movies Is Getting Rebooted Again (And It Might Actually Work This Time)

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Rebooting classic horror movies is a common strategy in Hollywood, and recently, studios have been using “legacy sequels” – continuations of old stories set many years later. This summer saw a new *I Know What You Did Last Summer* film, picking up the story decades after the 1997 original. The 2018 *Halloween* movie, a sequel to the 1978 classic, really popularized this trend, becoming the most successful slasher film ever. Now, other franchises are trying to repeat that success, and the latest news confirms that another long-running horror series is getting a fresh start.

Fans of horror know that Tobe Hooper’s *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre* has been remade many times, but it’s getting another new version. For months, there have been rumors that the rights to the film were being sold, with several producers interested in taking it on. Now, it seems a deal is close: according to reports from The InSneider and Deadline, A24 is likely to acquire the film and TV rights, and they may already have plans for a new series.

What Happened to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, And What Comes Next?

Beginning in 1974, the original *Texas Chain Saw Massacre* only spawned three sequels over two decades – a much slower pace compared to franchises like *Friday the 13th* and *A Nightmare on Elm Street*, which released new films almost every year in the 1980s. The series was first rebooted in 2003 with a film produced by Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes. This version focused more on graphic violence and early 2000s style than the unsettling, slow-burn atmosphere of the 1974 original.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise has seen several attempts to revive it. In 2013, Texas Chainsaw 3D launched as a sequel, but it disregarded all films except the original. Then, in 2017, Leatherface came out, aiming to explain the origins of the family featured in the first movie. Another reboot, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, was released in 2022, also choosing to only acknowledge the original film as part of the story. Unfortunately, none of these films were successful with audiences or critics, and the franchise hasn’t had a new installment since.

Now that A24 is taking over the *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* franchise, the future looks brighter than it has in years. The studio’s first project will be a television series created by JT Mollner, with Roy Lee and Glen Powell also involved in development – though Powell won’t be appearing on screen. This move into television is a fresh start for the series and could be exactly what it needs to succeed.

A24’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot Could Be the One That Works

For months, rumors have been circulating about which studio would acquire the rights to *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*. A24 was consistently mentioned as a leading contender. While filmmakers like Jordan Peele (*Get Out*) and Osgood Perkins (*Longlegs*), and even *Yellowstone*’s Taylor Sheridan, were reportedly interested in rebooting the 1974 horror film, none of their bids were successful. Despite these exciting filmmakers seemingly dropping out of the running, fans still have reason to be optimistic about a potential reboot.

A24 started out known for independent films like *Ex Machina* and *Spring Breakers*, but they quickly became known for unique horror and genre films, including *Hereditary*, *The Witch*, *The Lighthouse*, and more recently, *I Saw the TV Glow*. They even ventured into slasher horror with Ti West’s *X*, which was inspired by *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*. Considering A24’s past work, we can get a good idea of what to expect from this new series they’re producing.

The biggest takeaway from A24’s body of work is that they’re unafraid of challenging conventional norms and definitely not concerned with releasing challenging work that leaves some audiences confused, or even irritated. Even the previously mentioned Hereditary, a horror film that put director Ari Aster on the map and became their highest-grossing movie at the time, was met with a D+ CinemaScore by general audiences. Though the critical reception was overwhelming, many struggled with the film’s lack of traditional horror structure and an open ending that offered few real answers.

What’s most promising for the future of A24 films is that the studio consistently lets filmmakers bring their unique visions to life without creative interference. This approach was particularly evident in their biggest hit, *Everything Everywhere All at Once*, which earned them a second Best Picture Oscar. Unlike many major studio films that are heavily shaped by focus groups and notes, A24 allows the filmmakers’ talent to shine through, and in this case, it led to incredible success.

These pieces suggest the potential for a truly great new take on *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*. While A24’s success is encouraging, the studio needs to consider the franchise’s past. Starting completely fresh, ignoring previous films, might seem ideal, but it hasn’t worked before. The original *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* wasn’t just a typical slasher film like *Halloween*, or a formulaic franchise like *Saw*. It had a unique, almost dreamlike quality, mirroring the story of Hansel and Gretel. The film focused more on the characters’ descent into madness than on graphic violence, making that psychological journey the core of the story.

What’s next for *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*? Things are looking up – better than they have in twenty years – but it’s still a bit unclear. While fans would be excited about a new project launching this year, the franchise has a history of disappointing sequels and failed attempts at revivals.

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2025-09-15 23:43