Photo Credit: Bryanston Distributing Company A24 has hired Curry Barker to write and direct its upcoming reimagining of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It’s confirmed that Barker will lead the project based on Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel’s 1974 horror classic. Curry Barker to write and direct Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot at A24 Barker lands the Texas Chainsaw Massacre gig after a rapid ascent through the indie horror ranks.
Focus Features will release his film Obsession next month. That project started a $14 million bidding war at the Toronto International Film Festival. Before that, Barker made his $800 debut feature Milk & Serial and released it directly on YouTube.
A24 now hands him one of horror’s most valuable properties. Variety broke the news exclusively. A24 won the Texas Chainsaw Massacre rights in a competitive auction last year.
The studio beat out Blumhouse and others before formally announcing the deal in February. The new film moves forward alongside a separate Texas Chainsaw TV series from Barnstorm’s Glen Powell, Dan Cohen, and director JT Mollner. Together, these projects indicate a coordinated attempt to revitalize the long-running horror property for modern audiences.
The filmmaker currently directs, co-writes, and stars in Anything But Ghosts at Blumhouse. He also creates content for the sketch comedy duo That’s a Bad Idea with Cooper Tomlinson. Barker’s representation includes Underground Management, United Talent Agency, and The Lede Company.
Now, with nine films already part of the franchise, including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation, the series has remained a staple of horror culture. A24’s reboot, led by Curry Barker, now looks geared up to bring a new, modern vision to the legendary story of Leatherface. Producers Roy Lee and Steven Schneider of Spooky Pictures join Stuart Manashil, Pat Cassidy, Ian Henkel, and original co-creator Kim Henkel on the project. Ben Ross of Image Nation joins them as executive producer.