A24 Revs Up the Chainsaw: Our Take on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Acquisition
After nearly a year of intense bidding, indie darling A24 has officially carved out a new place in horror history, acquiring the rights to the iconic Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. The deal, which finalized this February following a competitive auction managed by Verve, ushers in plans for an untitled television series with actor Glen Powell attached as an executive producer and JT Mollner set to write and direct. A separate, untitled feature film is also in early development. This move signals a significant expansion for the beloved horror property and A24's deeper dive into established genre IPs, following their involvement with Peacock’s upcoming Friday the 13th prequel, Crystal Lake.
We're cautiously optimistic about A24's entry into the Chainsaw saga. While their track record with original horror like Hereditary and Midsommar is undeniably strong, taking on such a storied, and at times uneven, franchise presents a unique challenge. This acquisition solidifies A24's position as a major horror player, but it also means they're stepping away from their typical original, critically acclaimed fare to shepherd a pre-existing, and often convoluted, IP. Some in the horror community have expressed mixed feelings, questioning if A24's signature "artsy" approach will suit the raw, grimy aesthetic of Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Television Series: A New Entry Point?
The first project on the slab is an untitled Texas Chainsaw Massacre TV series, currently in progress. JT Mollner, fresh off his acclaimed work on Strange Darling, will serve as both director and writer. Mollner reportedly envisions the series as a fresh entry point while honoring the existing folklore that has captivated audiences for decades. This is a common claim with franchise reboots, and frankly, we're skeptical about how easily one can introduce a "fresh" perspective while simultaneously remaining faithful to a property that has seen its lore twisted and retconned across nine films. The franchise's timeline is already a messy affair.
Glen Powell, a self-professed fan of Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel's original 1974 film, will executive produce. Powell lauded the original as one of his favorite films and a definitive cinematic representation of his home state. While his passion is a positive sign for authenticity, his attachment is currently only as a producer, and he's not expected to appear on screen. This raises the question of how much direct creative influence he'll truly exert beyond his name, especially given the extensive executive producing team.
The comprehensive executive producing team for the series includes:
- Glen Powell
- Roy Lee (Spooky Pictures)
- Steven Schneider (Spooky Pictures)
- Stuart Manashil
- Ben Ross (Image Nation)
- Dan Cohen (Barnstorm)
- Kim Henkel (Exurbia Films)
Ian Henkel and Pat Cassidy (Exurbia Films) are attached as producers. Kim Henkel, co-creator of the original film, expressed confidence in the team, believing they offer the best opportunity for an "eye-opening and unexpected series" that can explore the "epic tale lurking within the Chainsaw backstory." While Henkel's endorsement is valuable, the ultimate success will lie in execution and whether this team can truly deliver on such a grand promise for a franchise known more for brutal simplicity than epic narratives.
This television adaptation places Texas Chainsaw Massacre in good company, joining other classic slasher franchises making the jump to the small screen. Child's Play found success on Syfy and USA Network, with its premiere episode drawing 4.4 million viewers across both channels within its first week and garnering positive reviews for its blend of horror and comedy. The Alien franchise is also set for a TV series titled Alien: Earth on FX, which just wrapped production and premiered in August 2025. Meanwhile, A24's Friday the 13th prequel, Crystal Lake, which wrapped production in October 2025 and is expected on Peacock in 2026, is another highly anticipated entry into this trend. The success of these shows suggests a viable path for TCM, but Chainsaw has always felt distinctively cinematic.
A24's Play for Iconic IPs
A24 secured the Texas Chainsaw Massacre rights in a fiercely contested auction in September, with the deal officially closing this month. Verve has represented the rights to the slasher franchise since 2017. Reports indicated that prominent filmmakers such as Jordan Peele, Taylor Sheridan, and Oz Perkins had also shown interest in reviving the property, underscoring the enduring appeal and perceived value of the Chainsaw IP.
This acquisition aligns with A24’s strong horror track record, which includes critically acclaimed films like Hereditary, Midsommar, and the X/Pearl/MaXXXine trilogy. However, these were largely original projects or deeply arthouse takes. This move solidifies A24's position as a major player in the horror space, not just by creating original acclaimed titles, but now also by actively shepherding established, storied IPs. We wonder if this signals a broader strategic shift for A24 towards more mainstream, franchise-driven content, potentially diluting their brand synonymous with distinctive, auteur-driven cinema.
Franchise History and the Road Ahead
The original 1974 film, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, co-created by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel, was a low-budget marvel. Made for just $140,000 (approximately $700,000 adjusted for inflation), it grossed $30,902,270 at the domestic box office. However, the original filmmakers were reportedly "stiffed on profits," with some cast and crew taking home virtually nothing due to complicated distribution deals and the involvement of what some sources suggest was a mafia front company. This historical context highlights the financial complexities often inherent in handling such valuable IP and hopefully, A24's stewardship will ensure fair compensation for all involved moving forward.
Since its inception, the franchise has spawned eight sequels, prequels, and remakes, most recently Netflix’s 2022 movie Texas Chainsaw Massacre. That 2022 entry received generally negative reviews from critics and audiences, with many finding it to be a "messy" and "purposeless" slasher that failed to redefine Leatherface's legacy. It has a 31% critic score and 25% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. In 1983, New Line Cinema took over distribution rights. The nine films released to date have collectively grossed over $252 million worldwide. While this sounds substantial, it pales in comparison to top-tier horror franchises like The Conjuring Universe (over $2.2 billion), Alien (over $1.6 billion), or Resident Evil (over $1.2 billion). This suggests that while Texas Chainsaw Massacre is iconic, its box office performance across multiple entries has been middling relative to other horror giants, posing a challenge for A24 to truly revitalize its commercial appeal. The IP has also extended into comic books, novels, and video games, with Exurbia Films having served as the primary production company behind the franchise.
In addition to the TV series, A24 has an untitled Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie in early development, sharing the same producing team as the series. However, JT Mollner is reportedly not involved with the movie project, which is not yet "packaged," and its potential home on Netflix, as once considered, remains unknown. This separation of creative leads for the film and series could be either a strategic move to allow for distinct visions or a sign of early creative uncertainties, and we'll be watching closely to see how these two projects diverge.
With A24 now at the helm, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise appears poised for a new chapter. The promise is to explore the grim saga with fresh creative vision while respecting its terrifying legacy. We hope that A24, known for its bold storytelling, can navigate the inherent contradictions of a beloved yet problematic franchise to deliver something genuinely compelling, rather than just another entry in Leatherface’s convoluted history.
Comments