Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot - What We Know So Far
"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" reboot has found a home at Netflix. The original film was released in 1974 and directed by Tobe Hooper ("Poltergeist"), who co-wrote the screenplay with Kim Henkel. The movie paved the way for subsequent 1970s slasher films like "Halloween," "Black Christmas," and "The Hills Have Eyes." Including the latest reboot, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" spawned eight films, and the franchise has grossed over $246 million worldwide (via The Numbers).
In February 2020, Variety announced Legendary Pictures tapped Ryan and Andy Tohill to direct, and Chris Thomas Devlin would pen the screenplay for the reboot. Fede Alvarez, who directed "Don't Breathe" and "Evil Dead," would serve as a producer alongside Rodolfo Sayagues under their Big Hombres Film banner. The reboot as part of a deal they struck with Legendary Pictures (via Deadline).
In August, The Hollywood Reporter announced Netflix had acquired the global rights to "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" from Legendary. Here's everything we know about the upcoming reboot, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre."
What is the release date for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot?
In August 2020, as filming was underway, Deadline broke the news that Andy and Ryan Tohill had left the movie due to creative differences with the studio. David Blue Garcia ("Tejano") took over directing duties, completed scenes were scrapped, and Garcia began reshoots on set in Bulgaria. In October, /Film reported a website for the reboot had been launched, which includes a teaser poster. Underneath the image reads, "In 1974, the world witnessed one of the most bizarre crimes in the annals of American history. In 2021, the face of madness returns."
Netflix hasn't announced a release date, but fans aren't going to have to wait long to see the completed film, which according to FilmRatings, is rated R due to "strong bloody horror violence and gore, and language" (Hey, it's not "Bridgerton"). With Halloween less than two months away, it seems likely "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" will be available for streaming sometime in October.
Who is in the cast of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot?
The "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" cast includes some familiar faces, but one relative unknown in the key role. Mark Burnham is the latest actor to tackle the role of the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen immortalized the character in the original.) Burnham's other screen credits include "Ultrasound," "The End of April," and "Snowfall." Joining Burnham or rather running and screaming from him is Elsie Fisher, who audiences may recognize from the Hulu series "Castle Rock" or her breakout performance in 2018's "Eighth Grade." Also featured in the film is Sarah Yarkin, who appeared in "Happy Death Day 2U." Yarkin's small screen resume is extensive and includes "American Horror Story," "The Good Place," "Foursome," and "Single Parents."
The cast also includes Moe Dunford ("The Dig"), Olwen Fouéré, who plays original final girl Sally ("Cursed"), Alice Krige ("The Alienist," "The OA"), Jacob Latimore ("The Maze Runner"), Nell Hudson ("Victoria," "The Irregulars"), Jessica Allain ("The Laundromat"), Sam Douglas ("Snatch"), William Hope ("Thomas & Friends"), and Jolyon Coy ("Beauty and the Beast"). Given the size of the cast, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" reboot promises to have a higher body count than its predecessor.
What is the plot of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot?
The 1974 original followed a brother and sister and three of their friends on a road trip in rural Texas. They stumble across the home of a deranged family of cannibalistic killers, including the now-iconic Leatherface, who picks off each group member until only one, Sally (Marilyn Burns), remains. After the family kidnaps and tortures Sally, she manages to escape, fleeing to a nearby highway and hopping into the back of a pickup truck.
Like 2018's "Halloween" reboot, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" won't incorporate any canon outside the original film. According to /Film, the Tohills' version centered around a young woman who travels to Texas on a business trip with her teenage sister. Whether this storyline remains intact after their exit from the project remains to be seen, as does how they run afoul of Leatherface. Before the Tohills' departure, Alvarez said, "The [Tohills'] vision is exactly what the fans want. It's violent, exciting and so depraved that it will stay with you forever" (via Variety). It sounds like the issues that arose early in production had more to do with the execution than the concept. During an appearance on The Boo Crew podcast, Alvarez had this to say about the reboot: "It is a direct sequel, and it is the same character. It is old man Leatherface" (via Bloody Disgusting).