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Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot Finds Its Directors
The reboot of Texas Chainsaw Massacre finds its directors. Directed by the late Tobe Hooper and released in 1974, the original film followed five characters on their way to visit their grandfather’s grave in Texas. They end up as victims, having to survive the terrors of Leatherface and his cannibalistic family. Considered at first to be a cult classic, Hooper’s feature was both praised and criticized for emphasizing gore and dark humor. In the decades since its debut, Texas Chainsaw Massacre has evolved into a legacy franchise in the genre of horror. It is also notable for featuring early performances from future stars like Renee Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey.
Like just about any horror staple to achieve such an iconic status, Hooper’s vision has spawned a number of sequels and remakes. In 2003, Michael Bay produced a reimagination of the film by the same name. The movie, which starred Jessica Biel, was a hit at the box office in spite of the largely negative reviews it had garnered. It led to a prequel, which came out in 2006, also produced by Bay. Other attempts to reinvent Leatherface include Texas Chainsaw 3D. Regarded as an alternate entry in the series, the film was similarly panned by reviewers but was deemed successful enough to warrant a second installment.
It’s likely that Ryan and Andy Tohill hope to achieve something closer to Blumhouse’s Halloween, helming a project that appeals to both critics and audiences. According to Variety, the sibling duo have been tapped to direct the latest Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which is currently in the works at Legendary Pictures. Fede Alvarez, the direct of Don’t Breathe and The Girl in the Spider’s Web, is set to produce the reboot along with Rodolfo Sayagues. The script will be written by newcomer Chris Thomas Devlin.
The Tohill brothers are perhaps best known for The Dig, a crime thriller which premiered in 2018. The duo has also collaborated on shorts which have won awards on the festival circuit. While they have experience working on big productions, as part of the art department for HBO’s Game of Thrones, this reboot has to be their most high-profile assignment yet.
Not much yet is known about the Texas Chainsaw Massacre project, with plot details being kept under wraps. Alvarez, also the director of 2013’s Evil Dead, promised in a statement that it would be exactly comparable to Hooper’s vision: “violent, exciting, and so depraved that it will stay with you forever.” That description certainly counts as an ambitious, intriguing goal to start from.
