The chainsaw stopped roaring. For a moment, anyway.
After months of Hollywood heavyweights circling the Texas Chainsaw Massacre like vultures—Taylor Sheridan, Oz Perkins, Jordan Peele, Bryan Bertino among them—A24 has emerged victorious from what might be the bloodiest bidding war since… well, since the last time studios fought over horror IP. TheInSneider broke the news: JT Mollner, the twisted genius behind Strange Darling, will direct the reboot with Glen Powell attached in an undisclosed “creative role.”
Eight pitches. Eight different visions for Leatherface's return. And somehow, the studio that gave us Hereditary and Midsommar walked away with the chainsaw.
The Strange Darling Connection That Makes Perfect Sense
Mollner's been playing coy for weeks. That cryptic Leatherface image he posted on social media? Turns out it wasn't just fanboy fever—it was a filmmaker dropping breadcrumbs about his next nightmare. Anyone who's seen Strange Darling knows Mollner doesn't just understand tension; he sculpts it like Michelangelo worked marble. Raw, brutal, and somehow beautiful.
The lo-fi aesthetic that made Strange Darling feel like discovered footage from hell could be exactly what Texas Chainsaw needs. No CGI blood. No digital polish. Just sweat, rust, and the kind of authentic dread that made Tobe Hooper's 1974 original feel like a snuff film stumbled upon in some cursed video store.
But here's where it gets interesting—Glen Powell's involvement adds a wrinkle nobody saw coming. Powell, riding high from Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, seems like an odd fit for Leatherface's world. Unless… he's not. Maybe Powell's the final girl? The charming antagonist? Or perhaps A24's playing a longer game, using star power to elevate what could easily become another straight-to-streaming disappointment.
A24's Horror Crown Gets Another Jewel
This acquisition feels inevitable now. A24 has basically cornered the market on elevated horror—the kind that makes you question reality while questioning your life choices. From The Witch to X to Talk to Me, they've proven that audiences will show up for horror that respects their intelligence.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, meanwhile, has been stumbling through reboots and sequels since the Reagan administration. Legendary Pictures tried in 2022 with a Netflix sequel that felt more like expensive fan fiction than genuine terror. That film's failure probably made the IP available again, returning rights to the mysterious group calling themselves Verve.
Strange Darling proved Mollner understands something most horror directors forget: the most terrifying moments happen in broad daylight, with ordinary people doing extraordinary evil. If he can bottle that claustrophobic dread and pour it into the Texas heat… we might actually have something special brewing.
The Pressure of Perfection (And Why That's Terrifying)
Here's the brutal truth—the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre is untouchable. Hooper and Kim Henkel created something that felt accidentally perfect, like catching lightning in a mason jar. Every subsequent film has felt manufactured, calculated, trying to reverse-engineer magic.
Mollner faces impossible expectations. Horror fans are protective of their classics the way sports fans defend championship seasons. One misstep—too much gore, not enough atmosphere, wrong casting, digital effects—and the internet becomes a woodchipper of disappointment.
But maybe that pressure is exactly what this project needs. A24 doesn't greenlight vanity projects. They choose filmmakers who understand that horror works best when it's earned, not given away. Mollner earned his stripes making audiences squirm in Strange Darling. Now he gets to prove that skill scales up to one of horror's most sacred properties.
The bidding war itself tells us something important: in an era of superhero fatigue and franchise formula, original horror still moves mountains. Eight different creative teams saw potential in Leatherface's return. That's not desperation—that's recognition of genuine opportunity.
What We Know (And What We're Dying to Know)
Production details remain scarce. No confirmed cast beyond Powell's mysterious involvement. No shooting schedule. No release window. Just the promise that Mollner will bring his particular brand of madness to rural Texas again.
The smartest move? Don't rush it. Let Mollner develop his vision without studio interference. Give him the time and creative freedom that made Strange Darling such a twisted masterpiece. Horror fans can smell compromise from miles away, and this franchise has been compromised enough already.
What Makes This Reboot Different:
- Mollner's Proven Track Record – Strange Darling demonstrated his ability to create genuine tension without relying on jump scares or gore
- A24's Quality Control – The studio's horror output consistently elevates genre material beyond typical slasher expectations
- Star Power with Purpose – Glen Powell's involvement suggests mainstream appeal without sacrificing artistic integrity
- Return to Practical Roots – Mollner's lo-fi aesthetic could restore the authentic, unsettling atmosphere of the original
- Fresh Creative Vision – After decades of failed sequels, this represents a genuine opportunity to reimagine the franchise
- Industry Validation – The competitive bidding war proves there's serious creative and commercial interest in getting this right
The chainsaw is silent for now. But when Mollner fires it up again, horror fans better be ready. A24 doesn't mess around with their nightmares—and neither should we.
What do you think about A24's acquisition of Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Will Mollner's vision honor Hooper's legacy or create something entirely new? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
