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- A24 wins the bid to reboot an American horror staple
- TV first: JT Mollner to direct the initial series
- Who’s on the producing team and which companies are involved
- Film development is underway, but not identical to the series
- The cultural footprint of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and recent history
- What industry insiders say and next steps
Glen Powell is leaning into his Texas roots to help steer the next chapter of a horror icon. A24 has won rights to relaunch the Texas Chainsaw Massacre property, starting with a television series that promises fresh storytelling. A feature film is also in the early planning stages, and a roster of producers and companies aim to protect the franchise’s legacy while expanding its reach.
A24 wins the bid to reboot an American horror staple
A24 emerged from a lengthy, competitive process to guide the franchise into a new era. Verve, representing the franchise’s media rights, led negotiations alongside Exurbia Films to land a strategic partner.
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The plan emphasizes creative risk-taking and a careful stewardship of the property. According to those involved, the goal is to grow the brand while preserving the core mythology that made the original such a touchstone.
TV first: JT Mollner to direct the initial series
Filmmaker JT Mollner, known for Strange Darling and The Long Walk, will direct the first television project. The series is positioned as the initial priority for the new team.
Mollner has stressed that he will not remake the 1974 classic. Instead, he views long-form television as a way to explore the deeper folklore around the story and to honor its creators.
Glen Powell’s producing role and Barnstorm’s involvement
Glen Powell and his Barnstorm partner Dan Cohen will serve as executive producers. Powell is credited as participating strictly in a producing capacity.
Powell described the franchise as emblematic of Texas film history and said he’s proud to help usher in a new chapter under A24’s banner.
Who’s on the producing team and which companies are involved
The reboot effort brings together an experienced mix of producers and production companies:
- Exurbia Films — Kim Henkel (co-creator of the original), Ian Henkel, and Pat Cassidy
- Spooky Pictures — Roy Lee and Steven Schneider
- Barnstorm — Glen Powell and Dan Cohen
- Image Nation — Ben Ross
- Additional producers including Stuart Manashil
Representation and agency support were also noted: CAA and UTA for various principals, Verve representing Exurbia’s rights, and other legal counsel assisting the package.
Film development is underway, but not identical to the series
Along with the TV series, a feature film is in early development with many of the same producers and Image Nation involved. JT Mollner is attached only to the series, not the film.
Sources indicate the film will be pursued as a separate creative endeavor. The teams want distinct approaches for long-form and theatrical storytelling.
The cultural footprint of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and recent history
Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel’s 1974 original reshaped American horror. Its gritty, transgressive tone and lurid backwoods mythology set a standard for the genre.
The franchise now spans multiple mediums. It includes nine films, comics, a novel, and two video-game adaptations across four continuities.
The most recent theatrical entry, released on Netflix in 2022, arrived amid a change of rights and received mixed-to-negative reviews. That film was set about 50 years after the original and highlighted the ongoing interest in reinterpreting the material.
What industry insiders say and next steps
Executives cite A24’s track record for boundary-testing genre projects as a key reason for choosing the company. The presence of original-creator Kim Henkel in the producing team helped reassure rights holders.
- Verve coordinated the process for Exurbia Films.
- A24 will develop the franchise across television and film.
- Producers hope to expand the property without erasing its legacy.
With development now underway, casting, episode counts, and release windows have not been announced. Industry reps and agencies will continue to manage rights and packaging as the projects move forward.
