A24 Acquires Rights to ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’: New TV Series in Development with JT Mollner, Glen Powell, and Roy Lee
A24 is set to continue the legacy of the *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* franchise with a new television series helmed by JT Mollner. This announcement follows A24’s victory in a competitive bidding war for the franchise’s TV and film rights, which began in September and involved multiple studios, including Verve.
The series will see Mollner collaborating with executive producers Roy Lee and Steven Schneider of Spooky Pictures, who previously worked with him on *Strange Darling*. They are joined by Stuart Manashil, Image Nation’s Ben Ross, Barnstorm’s Glen Powell and Dan Cohen, as well as Kim Henkel of Exurbia Films, who co-created the original *Texas Chainsaw Massacre*. Powell is contributing as a producer, while Exurbia’s Ian Henkel and Pat Cassidy will also be involved in production.
In addition to the television series, a movie is also under early development with the same production team and Image Nation, though Mollner is not attached to this project. Details about the film’s distribution remain unclear, and reports suggest it may not be headed to Netflix as previously indicated.
Watch on Deadline
The auction for *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* was conducted by Verve, attracting interest from notable studios and creative teams, including those led by Oz Perkins, Jordan Peele, and Taylor Sheridan. Verve has represented rights to this slasher franchise since 2017, with Exurbia Films serving as the main production company, alongside producers Pat Cassidy, Ian Henkel, and Kim Henkel.
Originally made in 1974 for $140,000, *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* was distributed by Bryanston Distributing Company, which had previously released the 1972 X-rated film *Deep Throat*. The horror classic grossed approximately $31 million, although the filmmakers did not receive their expected profits. New Line Cinema later acquired distribution rights for the entire franchise, which has since produced nine films and grossed over $252 million globally, with various adaptations in comics, novels, and video games.
Mollner expressed his admiration for the original film, stating, “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 long form 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 a 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 noted, “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.”
CAA represents Roy Lee and Barnstorm, while Mollner is represented by UTA, World Builder Entertainment, and other legal counsel. Schneider is also represented by UTA. Exurbia Films, which includes the Henkels and Cassidy, is represented by Verve and attorney Marios Rush.
