It’s now been three years since Netflix premiered Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a “legacy sequel” to Tobe Hooper’s original horror classic that arrived on February 18, 2022. Now, fresh rumors have begun to swirl that the franchise may be revving back to life for a new installment.
Deadline reports today that studios are knocking at Verve’s door; the agency has repped the rights for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series since 2017. While nothing has been officially set in motion just yet, the names showing interest in the IP have us intrigued.
The outlet reveals that Strange Darling filmmaker JT Mollner and producer Roy Lee are at the forefront of the conversation around reviving the franchise, with in-demand actor Glen Powell, star of the upcoming Running Man reboot, interested in reading Mollner’s script for a possible star vehicle and producing role. Lionsgate and A24 are also reportedly said to be eyeing the IP for new features.
Blood may be in the water, but Verve hasn’t answered any doors as of now. “Verve represents The Texas Chainsaw Massacre estate and is building out a multimedia strategy for the seminal horror franchise,” the agency’s rep told Deadline. “Verve has not officially submitted the property into any filmmakers, producers or buyers,” the rep added. “Because this is such a hot and iconic horror property, packages are preemptively being brought to Verve.”
That the IP is seemingly in high demand and franchise rumors have been circling since Netflix’s installment suggests that it may only be a matter of time, though.
The franchise began with 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, conceived by Kim Henkel and director Tobe Hooper, and introduced horror icon Leatherface when five friends set out to rural Texas to visit a grandfather’s grave. The film would become a cultural phenomenon with eight subsequent sequels, reboots, and prequel films. The highest grossing installment was 2003’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with original DP Daniel Pearl returning.
Is another chainsaw massacre imminent? Stay tuned.