Glen Powell Says A24’s THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE Reboot Is in Good Hands: “We're Gonna Do Something Special with It”
After decades of sequels, reboots, prequels, and one very strange detour into black comedy territory, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre might finally be gearing up for a revival that horror fans can actually get excited about.
With A24 officially distributing a new TV reboot of the 1974 horror classic, producer and actor Glen Powell is making it clear that this isn’t just another quick turnaround on a recognizable title. He knows what this franchise means, and he’s promising to treat it with respect.
Speaking to Variety while promoting his upcoming comedy-thriller How to Make a Killing, Powell didn’t hold back his admiration for the original film:
"I'm realizing I'm in a position in which, the things that I really love, properties that I really love and care about... Texas Chain Saw is one of, I think, the most brilliant horror movies.
"It defined the genre and is such a part of that era. I feel that A24 is a place that's really making such special things, and they're such a custodian and guardian of quality. And we just really talked to the rights holders..."
Directed by Tobe Hooper and co-written with Kim Henkel, the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre changed horror forever. The story of a group of young travelers who stumble upon a family of cannibalistic killers felt raw and disturbing in a way audiences hadn’t seen before.
Critics were divided at the time, but it went on to earn more than $30 million worldwide on a tiny $140,000 budget and carved out its place as one of the most influential horror films ever made.
Since then, the franchise has grown to include eight follow-ups, including The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, two prequels, and even a sequel set 50 years after the original massacre. Some entries connected, and some didn’t.
Now Powell and his production company Barnstorm are teaming up with A24 and filmmaker J.T. Mollner to bring Leatherface back to the screen in a new way, and according to Powell, everyone involved understands what they’re handling.
"J.T. Mollner, and we have some other creatives around it... they're just so passionate about what we're doing. They have a really strong vision.
“Everybody around it really cares and when you have that group mentality protecting something like that – I care about it, everybody cares about it – I know we're gonna do something really special with it, so I'm feeling very, very good. It was a long process to get there but I know we have something really fun ahead."
There’s also a feature film announced alongside the TV project, and naturally people are wondering if Powell might end up on screen. He teased the idea but stopped short of confirming anything:
"You never know. I am known for wearing masks, between Chad Powers and Leatherface... But no, I really do think it's just something for Barnstorm to produce but I'm definitely going to be very involved."
So don’t expect him to show up in the film, but he’s clearly staying close to the action.
As for what this reboot will actually look like, it doesn’t sound like a simple retelling of Hooper’s film. Henkel previously teased “an epic tale lurking in the Chainsaw backstory,” while Mollner has described the series as “a fresh way in” to the saga.
That suggests we could see new mythology, deeper exploration of the family, or even a different perspective on the horrors lurking in rural Texas.
For a franchise that helped define modern horror, the pressure is high. But with A24’s track record and Powell’s genuine love for the material, this could be the reset fans have been waiting for.
If they truly “protect” the legacy while carving out something new, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre might end up being a film actually worth watching.