Sources say that A24 is winning the film and TV rights for Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which were up for auction and had a handful of bidders. First up would be a series from JT Mollner, Roy Lee and Glen Powell, though the latter will not star as we previously told you.
Apparently, the deal hasn’t closed yet, but A24 has pole position. Another source close to the action tells us that this is all premature, but it’s clear that the genre label behind Hereditary isn’t letting this one go.
With the deal, A24 beats out a feature directed and co-written by Bryan Bertino with Oz Perkins producing, as well as a Taylor Sheridan-produced version of Leatherface.
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We previously said that Jordan Peele’s run at Texas Chain Saw Massacre dissipated quite quickly.
Lee was also looking to do a Netflix movie feature; we hear that is still in the cards with A24 producing.
We first told you about this beauty contest, administered by Verve, the agency that has repped rights to the slasher franchise since 2017. Exurbia Films is the primary production company behind Texas Chain Saw Massacre, with Pat Cassidy, Ian Henkel and Kim Henkel as producers. The property is repped by attorney Marios Rush.
Hooper directed the original movie, and co-wrote with Kim Henkel.
InSneider had the news about A24.
The original 1974 movie was made for $140,000 and distributed by Bryanston Distributing Company, which released the 1972 X-rated success Deep Throat. Texas Chainsaw Massacre grossed $31M, with the filmmakers getting stiffed on profits. In 1983, New Line Cinema took distribution rights for the entire franchise via nine movies, minting $252 million-plus worldwide. There were comic, novel and video game ancillaries during the IP’s history.
The highest-grossing installment of Leatherface remains the 2003 version produced by Michael Bay and Quiet Place producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, with Marcus Nispel directing. The film, which starred Jessica Biel, grossed $107M around the globe.