Studios Scramble for ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ as IP Bidding War Heats Up

The chainsaw is revving again in Hollywood, as the battle for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise ramps up. Beginning Monday, a cluster of major studios and streaming platforms—some say five, others say up to eight—are preparing formal bids for the rights to the legendary horror property. The package on the table includes everything from film and television to live experiences and gaming.

Represented by Verve since 2017, the franchise has been under the stewardship of Exurbia Films, with Pat Cassidy, Ian Henkel, and Kim Henkel producing. Attorney Marios Rush continues to oversee legal representation for the property. While there’s no obvious frontrunner at the moment, the list of interested creative teams has grown, with new names joining the fray. Among them is Taylor Sheridan, whose rising involvement reflects both personal roots and commercial savvy. “He was raised in Texas,” a source told Deadline, which adds a layer of authenticity to his interest. Sheridan is expected to come aboard in a producing role only.

Oz Perkins, director of Longlegs, is also in the mix, reportedly looking to co-write and produce a version alongside Bryan Bertino. Bertino, best known for directing The Strangers in 2008, would helm that installment if the rights land with Neon. That creative pairing alone is likely to draw attention, with both filmmakers having strong genre credentials and a knack for slow-burn terror.

Elsewhere, producer Roy Lee, who recently worked on A Minecraft Movie and Weapons—is reportedly backing two distinct concepts. One is a TV series pitched with A24 that involves Austin-born Glen Powell, although he isn’t expected to star. The second is a feature film concept designed for Netflix, suggesting a multi-pronged strategy depending on where the IP lands.

Another contender is Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, circling the franchise with producing interest. Monkeypaw is aligned with Universal, positioning it well to mount a studio-scale reboot. The potential combination of Peele’s brand of socially conscious horror and the raw brutality of Chainsaw is already sparking industry chatter.

The original 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre, made on a shoestring budget of $140,000, went on to gross $31 million. Despite its financial success, the original filmmakers were notoriously shortchanged. Since then, nine films have been released under the franchise, earning over $252 million globally. In 2003, New Line’s remake—produced by Michael Bay and starring Jessica Biel, remains the top earner in the series at $107 million. And in today’s market, horror is hotter than ever. Just ask Scream VI, Halloween (2018), or Final Destination Bloodlines—all of which opened to franchise-best numbers.

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