New Texas Chainsaw Massacre Film with Glen Powell in the Works

JT Mollner and Andy Muschietti are in talks to direct the film

By Jonas Reichel on 4 min reading time

Leatherface is back swinging the chainsaw! A new "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" film is currently in the planning stages – and Glen Powell could take on the leading role.

According to the industry magazine Deadline, there are several candidates for the new "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". The trio consisting of horror producer Roy Lee, "Strange Darling" director JT Mollner and superstar Glen Powell holds a lot of promise.

Not only fans, but also major studios are keeping a close eye on the project's development. Deadline further reports that companies such as Lionsgate, A24 and Neon are interested in the new film in the legendary horror series. However, a decision has not yet been made, as other filmmakers also have ideas for the tenth installment of the franchise. The Hollywood Reporter, for example, mentions "It" director Andy Muschietti.

It is still unclear which studio will bring "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" to theaters. Horror fans can look forward to seeing whether the pairing of Roy Lee, JT Mollner and Glen Powell will actually come about, or whether another team will prevail in the end.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Journey Through All the Films in the Horror Series

The "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" series is one of the best-known and most influential horror franchises of all time. Since the original film in 1974, the story of Leatherface, inspired by real-life crimes, has spawned numerous sequels, remakes and reboots. In this overview, we take a look at all the movies in the series and their significance for the horror genre.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Tobe Hooper's first film is considered one of the most terrifying horror films ever made. With a gritty, documentary-style aesthetic and the disturbing character of Leatherface, it set new standards in the slasher genre. The story follows a group of young people who come across a cannibalistic family on a road trip through Texas – with deadly consequences. The film was notorious for its crude violence and was censored or even banned in several countries.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

More than a decade later, Hooper returned with a sequel that took a decidedly different tone. Instead of gritty terror, the movie focuses on over-the-top violence and black humor. Dennis Hopper plays a vengeful Texas Ranger who fights Leatherface and his family. Although the film was unable to match the commercial success of the original, it later became a cult classic.

Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)

Part 3 attempted to make the series more serious again. Directed by Jeff Burr, Leatherface was portrayed as a brutal murderer who gathers a new family around him. However, the movie suffered from heavy interference from the production company and was recut several times, resulting in a convoluted plot. Nevertheless, it found a loyal fan base over the years.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Return (1995)

This bizarre sequel, featuring early appearances by Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey, is one of the most controversial films in the series. The film mixes absurd elements with the familiar horror of its predecessors, but was torn apart by critics. In particular, the strange revelation about a secret government conspiracy behind the family left many viewers baffled.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

The first remake of the series, produced by Michael Bay, brought Leatherface to a new audience. Starring Jessica Biel, the movie was a box office success and offered a modernized, extremely brutal version of the story. Although it did not achieve the raw intensity of the original, it is considered one of the better horror remakes of the 2000s.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)

The first prequel to the 2003 remake tells the original story of Leatherface and his cannibalistic family. The movie is even more violent than its predecessor, but offers few new ideas. Nevertheless, many fans appreciate the detailed depiction of Leatherface's past.

Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)

"Texas Chainsaw 3D" ignored all sequels in the series and continues the story of the 1974 original directly. A young woman inherits a house in Texas and discovers that she has a connection to Leatherface. Despite some exciting approaches, the film was criticized for logical flaws and weak characters.

Leatherface (2017)

This prequel film shows the childhood and youth of Leatherface and explains how he became the infamous killer. Directors Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo wanted to create a psychological thriller, but the film failed to convince either critics or fans. Many felt it was superfluous and incongruous with the mythology of the series.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)

Netflix released this direct sequel to the original film, which ignores what happened in the other parts. Leatherface returns after decades to terrorize a new group of victims. The film attempts to combine current social issues with classic slasher horror, but was criticized for its weak plot.

Conclusion

The "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" series has seen many highs and lows. While the original from 1974 remains a milestone in horror, the sequels and reboots vary greatly in quality and style. However, Leatherface remains an iconic figure of the genre and it is likely that the series will continue to spawn new films in the future.