Exclusive: A24 Unveils Chilling First Details for '70s Horror Remake from Director!

A24 is expanding its horror footprint, developing multiple <i>Texas Chainsaw Massacre</i> projects, including a TV series and a new film directed by Curry Barker. Barker aims to explore the Sawyer Family with "heart" and brutality. The studio also has other major projects, including adaptations of "Backrooms" and "Elden Ring," signaling an ambitious creative direction.

Precious Eseaye • Movies • 1 month ago • 2 minute read •

Key Points

• A24 acquired the rights to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise after a competitive bidding war.

• A24 plans a television series and a new cinematic installment for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with Curry Barker directing the film to focus on the Sawyer family dynamic.

• Beyond Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A24 is developing other major intellectual properties including Backrooms, The Death of Robin Hood, and an Elden Ring adaptation.

A24, renowned for its Oscar-winning independent projects such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, is making a significant foray into the horror genre by developing multiple Texas Chainsaw Massacre projects. Following the franchise's hiatus after a "disastrous" 2022 Netflix reboot, A24 successfully acquired the rights in a highly competitive bidding war, investing substantially in the infamous horror property.

The studio's plans for the franchise are comprehensive, including a television series currently in development, with Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell attached as a producer. Additionally, emerging horror filmmaker Curry Barker has been announced to write and direct the next cinematic installment of the Sawyer Family saga. Barker shared his creative vision in a recent interview with Total Film, emphasizing his interest in exploring the Sawyer Family dynamic rather than solely focusing on the iconic character, Bubba "Leatherface" Sawyer. He aims to respect the original source material while infusing it with a distinct identity, particularly by delving into the "unfomfotability" and "untapped" aspects of the Sawyer family's notorious farm.

Acknowledging the prevalent online sentiment regarding the perceived over-rebooting of the franchise, Barker expressed his belief in its unfulfilled potential. He stated that many previous remakes veered in the wrong direction and articulated his desire to create a Texas Chainsaw Massacre that transcends merely a killer chasing victims with a chainsaw. Instead, he envisions a film with "heart," where audiences care about the characters' survival, yet still maintains its inherent brutality. This approach, focusing on the broader Sawyer family (sometimes known as Slaughter), aligns closely with the franchise's origins, where family members were as crucial as Leatherface himself.

Beyond the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A24 has a robust slate of projects slated for release in the coming months, two of which are based on established intellectual property. These include Backrooms, a horror film starring Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor, based on a viral internet video. Hugh Jackman is also set to portray an older, jaded Sir Robin of Locksley in The Death of Robin Hood. The most substantial project A24 currently has underway is an adaptation of the highly successful fantasy video game Elden Ring, directed by Alex Garland, which boasts a star-studded cast and is actively in production. A24's bold strategic moves, from revitalizing horror giants to adapting popular game franchises, indicate a dynamic creative direction for the studio.