Last year, it was revealed that Legendary Pictures, the company behind the 2022 Texas Chainsaw Massacre film that was released through the Netflix streaming service, had let their rights to make new films in the franchise lapse, so Verve, which currently represents the rights, are looking to “build out a multimedia strategy” for the franchise, with filmmakers, producers, and buyers looking to get involved. It was said that writer/director JT Mollner (Strange Darling) and producer Roy Lee (It) were among the interested parties, teaming up with A24 for a TV series pitch that had actor Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) hoping to read the script. Eight months ago, A24 came out the winner of that bidding war – and they’re not wasting any time cashing in on this IP.
Three months ago, it was confirmed that there’s a Texas Chainsaw Massacre TV series in the works at A24, with Glen Powell serving as an executive producer alongside Roy Lee and Steven Schneider of Spooky Pictures, Stuart Manashil, Image Nation’s Ben Ross, Powell’s producing partner Dan Cohen of Barnstorm, and Exurbia Films’ Kim Henkel, who co-wrote the original film and produced several of follow-ups, in addition to writing and directing Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. Exurbia’s Ian Henkel and Pat Cassidy are producing. JT Mollner is attached to direct.
Two weeks ago, it was announced that A24 is also moving forward with a Texas Chainsaw Massacre feature film reimagining, separate from the TV show, with up-and-coming filmmaker Curry Barker on board to write and direct. And during an interview with Total Film, Barker promised he will be “respecting the source material” while leaning into the “uncomfortability” of Leatherface’s family.
What else has Curry Barker done?
A couple of years ago, Curry Barker wrote, directed, and starred in the found footage horror movie Milk & Serial, which is said to have had a budget of $800. Baker then released the movie through YouTube, where the free-to-watch video has racked up more than 2 million views. Even though he already sent Milk & Serial out into the world, it’s his new horror movie, Obsession, that’s being billed as his feature directorial debut.
Our own Chris Bumbray caught the film at SXSW and loved it. “Barker guides the film with a sure hand and doesn’t shy away from hammering home his message about the difference between real love and obsession,” Bumbray wrote. “Many will note the movie’s gallows humor, with gore-heavy moments happening so randomly and brutally that you can’t help but laugh at how demented they are—only to realize moments later that what you’re watching is, in many ways, a classic horror tragedy.” You can check out the rest of his review right here. Obsession will hit theaters on May 15.
Barker has already shot another feature, Anything but Ghosts, which recently wrapped production.
What has Curry Barker said about his Texas Chainsaw Massacre?
Barker told Total Film, “I think of it as respecting the source material. I absolutely love the original film, but I want to do something that’s different. I’m not gonna stray away too far from what we know, but just making it stronger. Really, I want to lean into the uncomfortability of the family. I want to lean into the rawness of what’s going on there. There’s some really messed up stuff happening at that farm. I genuinely feel as if there’s so much potential for that concept that has not been realized. The original was in the ’70s, and then there was the remakes. The 2003 was my favorite. It was like my first horror movie I’d ever seen when I was a kid, and I actually think it’s a decent remake. Still, there’s so much that that concept hasn’t really leaned into. I actually feel like there’s a lot to explore. So I’m really excited about it.“
It’s good to hear that this is going to be another “Leatherface and family” story, since recent entries in the franchise like Texas Chainsaw 3D and Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) had Leatherface out in the world on his own.
Barker has also said that this will be about more than just “a guy chasing some people around with a chainsaw.” It will have heart and you’ll care about the victim characters, you’ll want them to survive… but it will also be brutal.
What do you think of what Curry Barker had to say about his Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Are you glad to hear we’re getting the family set-up again? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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