A24 Is Buying One of the Most Popular Horror Slasher Franchises

A24 is close to taking over one of the most famous horror franchises of all time, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. According to sources, the company is ahead of other bidders in securing both the film and television rights.

If the deal goes through, the first project would be a TV series from JT Mollner, Roy Lee, and Glen Powell, though Powell is not expected to star.

A source familiar with the talks said the deal has not been finalized yet, but A24 is in the lead position. Another source added that it may be too early to call, but it is clear that the studio behind Hereditary is determined to land the franchise.

This would mean A24 has beaten out other projects that were also competing for the rights, including a film directed and co-written by Bryan Bertino with Oz Perkins producing, as well as another version from Taylor Sheridan.

There had also been talk of Jordan Peele making a run at the property, but that did not last long.

Roy Lee had been exploring a feature film for Netflix as well. Reports suggest that idea could still move forward, but with A24 now producing.

The auction for the rights was organized by the agency Verve, which has handled the franchise since 2017. Exurbia Films is the main production company behind the brand, with Pat Cassidy, Ian Henkel, and Kim Henkel as producers. The rights are represented by attorney Marios Rush.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre began in 1974 with the original movie directed by Tobe Hooper and co-written with Kim Henkel.

Since then, it has grown into a horror legacy with nine films, comic books, a novel, and even two video game adaptations. The series follows Leatherface, the chainsaw-wielding killer, and his family as they terrorize strangers in rural Texas. Over the years, the films have earned more than $250 million at the global box office.

A24’s interest shows how much value the franchise still has. If the deal closes, the studio will be the one steering Leatherface’s next chapter.

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