Horror Giants Battle Over ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ Rights

A major franchise shake-up is in motion as studios and streamers prepare to compete for control of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. As reported by Deadline, a bidding process officially begins this week for the rights to the long-running horror property, currently shared by Exurbia Films and represented by Verve. Interest is said to be high, with up to eight parties in contention, ranging from traditional studios to prestige production banners with creative talent already attached.

The rights, which cover film, television, live events and gaming, are jointly held by the estate of Kim Henkel, co-writer of Tobe Hooper’s original 1974 classic, and producer Pat Cassidy. According to Deadline, the auction has attracted attention from a wide slate of filmmakers and producers, many of whom are proposing bold reimaginings of the Leatherface saga.

Among the most prominent names now linked to potential future projects is Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, who is reportedly interested in coming aboard as a producer. Born and raised in Texas, Sheridan’s involvement would mark a significant shift for the franchise, introducing a more grounded and regional vision than previous iterations.

Meanwhile, Longlegs director Oz Perkins and The Strangers helmer Bryan Bertino are said to be aligned on a version that would see Bertino directing a new feature co-written with Perkins. That pitch is being eyed by distributor Neon, known for genre entries with a strong visual identity.

Also in contention is Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, which currently has a deal with Universal. While Peele would not direct, his production imprint brings immediate cachet and a clear genre pedigree. Elsewhere, producer Roy Lee has two distinct proposals in circulation, one in collaboration with indie distributor A24 and another tailored for Netflix, with Texas native Glen Powell attached in a yet-to-be-disclosed capacity.

This new push comes after years of inconsistent output from the franchise, which has seen a range of remakes, reboots and sequels. The 2003 film directed by Marcus Nispel remains the highest-grossing in the series, with $107 million worldwide. More recently, a 2022 direct sequel debuted on Netflix but failed to reignite sustained momentum. Despite commercial highs and creative lows, the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre retains its status as a seminal work in American horror, and studios are betting that the right creative vision could revive its box office strength.

As Deadline notes, the current bidding process is a significant shift for a franchise often caught in behind-the-scenes disputes. With no single frontrunner yet confirmed and a range of high-profile players in the mix, the eventual outcome could determine whether Leatherface returns as a slasher icon for a new generation or remains stalled in development limbo.

The results of the auction could be announced in the coming weeks, with speculation already growing around which platform or studio will emerge victorious. For now, fans of the original can only wait and see what form the next chapter of Texas horror will take.

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