First Details from the Director on A24's Reimagining of Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Collider

Article image
A24 is gearing up for a big gamble with several Texas Chainsaw Massacre projects currently in development at the studio. Known for its Oscar-winning independent films like Everything Everywhere All at Once, A24 has acquired this iconic horror franchise, which was put on ice after Netflix's disastrous 2022 remake, through an auction. The studio is not only investing in this but is also developing a television series project (produced by Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell) and a new cinematic film assigned to director Curry Barker to write and direct.

In an interview with Total Film, Barker, the director of The Obsession, stated that what has occupied him the most in bringing Texas Chainsaw Massacre back to the forefront is exploring the entire Sawyer Family (not just the iconic Bubba "Leatherface" Sawyer). He emphasized that he wants to respect the original source material while also creating his own identity, particularly wanting to reveal the "disturbing" nature of what happened on the infamous Sawyer family farm (which he mentioned much of is still "unprocessed"). He acknowledged being aware that many people feel there’s no need to remake a horror franchise that has already been adapted, but he believes there are still many places to explore for the series.

"I’m serious, the potential of this franchise has not been fully realized. In fact, I think many remakes have gone completely in the wrong direction. Instead of making a Texas Chainsaw Massacre where a guy chases people around with a chainsaw, I want to focus on a film that has a bit of heart. Care about the characters, want them to survive, but... still be ruthless," he said.

Focusing on the Sawyer Family (sometimes referred to as the Slaughter Family) aligns with the roots of the franchise. Because family members portrayed by actors like Matthew McConaughey are just as important as the chainsaw-wielding killer. The dynamics among family members and their relationships offer a much deeper story than simply focusing on the killer character. Barker’s love for the franchise and willingness to push its boundaries is a strong indicator for the planned project with A24.

In This Story

Related News

All News