Who Will Win the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Rights?
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre rights are up for grabs, and the carnage has just begun. According to Fangoria, several filmmakers are vying to obtain control of the famous franchise, including Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone), JT Mollner (Stranger Things), Jordan Peele (Get Out), and Osgood Perkins (The Monkey).
This series’ appeal remains strong despite its limited box office performance. Other than the original film, which was released over 50 years ago, only the 2003 remake earned major commercial success.
The first sequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), initially fizzled in theaters before becoming a popular cult film. The other movies (there are nine in total) received low grosses (or bypassed theaters altogether) and negative reviews.
Related: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies Ranked
Still, Leatherface is undeniably one of horror’s iconic villains. Any film featuring him will have an established core audience. Great things can still be done with the TCM brand.
The rights are currently owned by Exurbia Films. Do they simply sell to the highest bidder, or will they be won over by a unique vision or idea?
There’s no guarantee any of the aforementioned filmmakers will win the rights. TCM could land back at Netflix, for example, or with someone else entirely. For now, let’s take a look at each of these competitors, and speculate on what they might offer.
Taylor Sheridan – On one level, this makes perfect sense. Sheridan’s shows have consistently covered rural American culture. TCM is as rural as it gets, and no filmmaker today is more closely associated with this aspect of Americana than Sheridan.
On the other hand, Sheridan has no experience with horror. His shows have plenty of violence, but they all fit neatly in the drama genre. My guess is he would want to make a series, rather than a movie. Leatherface has never had a TV show. Could be interesting!
JT Mollner – There are few, if any, similarities between Stranger Things and TCM. However, Mollner has directed a western, Outlaws and Angels (2016), and more recently helmed the acclaimed thriller Strange Darling (2023), which is set in rural Oregon. I’d be down to see a twisty TCM film in the style of Strange Darling.
Jordan Peele – A Peele TCM film would almost certainly be the best since at least part 2. He would add intelligence and depth that has been sorely missing from this series.
His version would likely involve social commentary on race relations. Perhaps a Black family is menaced by Leatherface and Co.? I could see Peele returning the tone to the dark satire of the second movie.
Osgood Perkins – Perkins could go in multiple directions with TCM. He could try making an ultra-creepy and weird film in the vein of his Longlegs. Or he could go for a darkly comedic approach, like with The Monkey. Perkins could make something special here either way. I’d be excited to see his vision.
Whoever ends up with the rights, hopefully they will finally accomplish what so many sequels have failed to do: live up to the legacy of the original movie.
