‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ Returns with a New TV Series and Movie from A24?
It’s been about four years since we were last graced with the sight and sound of a skin-mask-wearing maniac madly whirring a chainsaw into the meat and bones of Texas residents, and roughly 51 years since our very first introduction to him. I’m, of course, talking about Netflix’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974).
After Netflix’s take on the series was met with poor reception, the future of the series seemed uncertain. Today though, this future is looking bright under the Texas sun after A24 won both its TV and film rights in a bidding war held by Verve, the agency representing the series since 2017.
The first project planned to be released by the studio is a TV series being helmed by JT Mollner, who previously wrote and directed Strange Darling (2024) and created the screenplay for The Long Walk (2025). The series will be executive produced by Spooky Picture’s Roy Lee and Steven Schneider, who worked with Mollner on Strange Darling, and Exurbia Films’ Kim Henkel, who co-created the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Tobe Hooper. Additional executive producers include Image Nation’s Ben Ross as well as Barnstorm’s Dan Cohen and Glen Powell, who’s only involvement on the project will be as a producer.
Alongside this, A24 have also begun early development for a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. Mollner isn’t attached to it, but it has the same producing team as his TV series, joined by ImageNation.
Mollner explained his decision not to involve himself with the film but to instead direct a TV show based on the property: “I’ve said publicly that I’m not interested in remaking perfect films, and the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a perfect film. Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel created something bold, transgressive and truly seminal that holds up even today as the gold standard for horror. When the opportunity for a longform exploration into this world arose, I saw it as a fresh way in, as well as a way to honor the existing folklore. I can’t imagine better partners for this approach than A24. This is truly an honor.”
Powell added: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of my favorite films. It defined a generation of horror films and over half a century after its release, it remains one of the definitive movies of my home state. I’m honored to have Barnstorm help bring in a new chapter for such an iconic title and franchise. With a marquee home in A24 and visionary filmmaker with JT Mollner, alongside our top shelf producing partners, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better team for such a dream property.”
Henkel describes why working with A24, Mollner, and everyone else involved has him excited for what’s next in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: “It was a difficult decision, but A24’s embrace of boundary-testing genre film, and its record of working with artists who are inclined to test boundaries made them a compelling choice. Plus, we believe having a great creative and producing team—JT Mollner, Roy Lee, Dan Cohen and Glen Powell—in place gives us the best shot at a series that could be genuinely eye-opening and unexpected. There’s an epic tale lurking in the Chainsaw backstory.”
Story by: Jack Jensen
