A24 Is Officially Working on a Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot

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The story started with a simple road trip between friends, but it quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal involving a monstrous family. This horrifying experience, brought to life by Tobe Hooper in 1974, launched one of the most iconic horror series ever made, introducing audiences to the terrifying Leatherface and his brutal attacks on anyone who encountered him.

After more than five decades and eight movies, the iconic horror villain known for wielding a chainsaw is coming back! A24, the company that acquired the rights last year, is officially restarting the franchise with new director Curry Barker. Barker recently gained recognition for his first film, Obsession, and plans to remake the original 1974 movie, aiming for the same gritty and terrifying feel as the classic horror masterpiece.

A24 Is Officially Rebooting The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

A24 won a competitive bidding war with other major studios last year to acquire the rights to create films and TV shows based on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. They’ve announced plans for a TV series directed by JT Mollner and produced by Glen Powell.

As someone who’s seen the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre from 1974, I knew going in this wouldn’t be easy to pull off! That first movie is famous for being seriously creepy and feeling almost like a real documentary. It basically kicked off the whole trend of masked killers, intense gore, and strong female characters fighting back – it really changed horror movies forever.

As a long-time fan, I’ve seen the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise go up and down after the original film. There have been some good sequels, but honestly, a lot of them just retell the same story: some friends hit the road, run into Leatherface, and things get really messy. It makes you wonder, what’s Clive Barker planning to do to bring this classic horror villain to life for a new generation?

Even though the project is just beginning, Barker has discussed his plans for it. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explained that he doesn’t want to simply remake the original film. He’s looking for a new and creative approach while still respecting what fans love about the first movie, and intends to keep the original as the primary source of inspiration.

He was very clear about what he didn’t want to repeat from the later films. He said some of them became predictable, like simply having someone chased by a person with a chainsaw. According to him, that kind of constant chase doesn’t work as a story, especially when it involves hiding in places like barns – it gets repetitive. And he found it unbelievable that characters wouldn’t hear a loud chainsaw approaching.

Barker wants to update the franchise for modern audiences, bringing back the gritty realism of the first film. The new movie will center on a group of people traveling through Texas who become the targets of a disturbed, cannibalistic local.

Despite being a familiar story, fans can anticipate a more heartfelt and emotionally resonant take on it. While it’s unclear how the director will accomplish this, their previous work, Obsession, demonstrates their ability to explore complex themes like love, independence, and unhealthy relationships within a dark and intriguing narrative.

Currently, no actors have been cast for the film, as Clive Barker just recently signed on to write and direct. Because the project is still in the very early stages, an official release date hasn’t been set, though rumors point to a potential release in late 2027 or early 2028.

Curry Barker Is the Best Person for the Texas Chainsaw Reboot

As a huge horror fan, I always get nervous when anyone tries to remake The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It’s such a classic directed by an amazing filmmaker, and it’s tough to live up to that! We’ve seen quite a few directors—like David Blue Garcia, Alexandre Bustillo, and John Luessenhop—take a shot at it, but honestly, most of the remakes and sequels just feel… disappointing. They never quite capture what made the original so terrifying and unique; they seem to miss the point of Hooper’s vision.

It’s easy to see why some fans are skeptical about A24’s new take on this horror series. But if anyone can successfully direct it, especially as a relative newcomer to horror, it’s Curry Barker.

After gaining attention through his early work on YouTube and at film festivals, Barker quickly rose to prominence as a talented young director. His horror film, Obsession, released in May 2026, has been hailed as one of the most innovative of the decade and achieved remarkable financial success – becoming Focus Features’ biggest hit ever with nearly $300 million earned worldwide. Combined with a strong 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this suggests a bright future for the 26-year-old director.

Despite being a successful film, it delves into difficult topics. The story centers around a man (Michael Johnston) who uses magic to try and win over someone he’s attracted to (Inde Navarrette), but the filmmaker uses this as a way to explore issues like manipulation and consent. The movie powerfully shows how someone can lose themselves in a relationship, with unsettling moments that highlight the damaging effects of unwanted advances and emotional abuse.

People who enjoy the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies might not see the value in this. As Curry noted, the series has largely become focused on graphic violence and typical slasher film elements. However, if viewers went back to the very first movie and overlooked the sequels, they’d discover that .

Although known for being terrifying, the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre actually shows surprisingly little blood or graphic violence. Instead of directly showing gruesome acts, the film relies on suggestion and what the audience imagines as Leatherface and his family terrorize Sally and her friends.

The film puts you directly inside the main character’s head, using scenes like the dinner table sequence to overwhelm your senses and build a growing sense of dread. It’s a deeply disturbing look at what people are capable of, slowly ratcheting up tension in a chaotic way until it culminates in a chilling final image: Sally’s hysterical laughter, born from both fear and relief.

Though now often labeled a slasher film due to its influence on others, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is actually a deeply disturbing exploration of mental torment and senseless brutality. If director Curry follows through with his vision to honor the original, we might finally get a true sequel. His previous work, Obsession, demonstrates he has the talent to recapture the subtle fear and important ideas from Hooper’s film – potentially breathing new life into one of horror’s most iconic series.

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2026-06-18 07:27