TL;DR
- A24 is reportedly in pole position to acquire both film and TV rights to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise.
- First project likely: a television series developed by JT Mollner, Roy Lee, and Glen Powell, though Powell is not expected to star.
- The acquisition is not yet finalized, and there are still other versions/features in contention.
- Previous film in the franchise: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) on Netflix; other reboot / sequel versions have been in the works.
Indie giant, A24 is reportedly closing in on a deal to acquire both television and film rights to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. Multiple sources, including Deadline, Bloody Disgusting, Screenrant, and The Playlist, are confirming that A24 is the front-runner in a bidding war that has drawn interest from many filmmakers and studios.
Who’s Involved, and What’s Planned
JT Mollner, known for Strange Darling, is expected to be involved in developing a new TV series from the franchise. Roy Lee and Glen Powell are also associated with the project. Powell, despite his name being attached, is not expected to star, but will have a producer / “creative role.” The IP is currently represented by Verve; it was up for auction, with several competing proposals.
The deal has not officially closed. Several reports caution that while A24 is in a strong position, there are still outstanding details to be finalized.
It’s unclear whether the next feature film or Netflix project will still go forward under the old producers/builders, or whether A24 will re-imagine everything.
Why This Is Big for Horror & the Franchise
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a legacy horror property, first released in 1974, with multiple sequels, reboots, and legacy sequels. Its tone, mythos, and Leatherface character are deeply embedded in horror culture.
A24 has become known for more “elevated” or auteur-driven horror (e.g. Hereditary, Midsommar etc.), so fans are watching closely to see how it handles a brutal, iconic slasher franchise.
The series format offers opportunity: more space to explore characters, mythos, perhaps deeper horror elements and suspense, rather than just jump scares.
What This Might Look Like
A television series could give more room to explore Leatherface’s origin, the Sawyer family, or multiple timelines. A24 might aim to balance fan service (maintaining elements iconic to TCM: Leatherface, gruesome tone, horror roots) with new creative angles. If A24 backs both TV and film iterations, we could see overlapping or complementary projects (e.g. a series + a feature film), possibly even spin-outs.
FAQs
Not fully confirmed. Reports suggest A24 is very close and currently the front-runner for both film and TV rights.
JT Mollner is expected to develop a series, with producers Roy Lee and Glen Powell involved. However, Powell is not expected to star.
There are rumors of both a TV series and feature film versions. A Netflix-backed film may still be in discussion.
The rights are (or were) represented by a group called Verve. The 2022 film was released on Netflix. Multiple parties have bid for the rights.
No release date has been announced. Developments are still at the rights/acquisition stage. If A24 proceeds, it may take a year or more for production and release, depending on whether it’s TV series or film.
If the reports are true, A24 acquiring The Texas Chainsaw Massacre rights could mark a significant shift for the franchise — giving it a chance for reinvention under a studio known for thoughtful, boundary-pushing horror. Horror fans are sure to scrutinize every tease, every casting rumor, every design choice. As Leatherface gets handed new creative direction, the biggest question may be: can A24 deliver horror nostalgia and something fresh? Keep your ears open—this one might cut deeper than expected.
