Tobe Hooper’s 1974 cult-classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remains one of the most controversial and influential additions to the horror genre. Partially inspired by the real-life exploits of notorious serial killer Ed Gein, the film introduced audiences to the character of Leatherface – a cannibalistic madman who wears the skin of his victims and tortures anyone unlucky enough to cross paths with him and the rest of his inbred family.
Three sequels followed the original TCM, with each installment taking a significant dip in quality. In 2003, Michael Bay’s production company Platinum Dunes began their streak of churning out flashy remakes of landmark horror films with a new version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, directed by Marcus Nispel (Conan The Barbarian).
The commercial success of the remake paved the way for a 2006 prequel appropriately titled The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. It received overwhelmingly negative reviews and took in less than half of its predecessor’s gross. Still, Platinum Dune briefly considered making a third film set in the remake’s continuity, but ultimately scrapped the idea. The future of the franchise was called into question until producer Carl Mazzocone (Repo! The Genetic Opera) secured the rights to the property.
Back in November, Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate were reportedly developing a new entry called Leatherface 3D, which would pick up immediately after the events of the 1974 original. The project now looks to be a joint venture between Lionsgate and their frequent production partner Nu Image. Yesterday, the studio issued a press release confirming that the new film (now titled The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D) would begin shooting this June and that John Luessenhop (Takers) is in talks to direct.
Although it’s described as a direct follow-up to the original, attempting to figure out how this latest installment will be connected to the previous films becomes a little bit murky when Mazzocone describes his enthusiasm for the project:
“I’m excited to re-conceive this iconic horror classic in a contemporary setting for a new generation of horror fans to enjoy … Our story picks up where the original left off. Both John Luessenhop and I intend to deliver a new chapter derived from Tobe Hooper’s 1973 masterpiece with the goal of making it as horrifying as the original — in 3D!”
Please note, that’s not a typo – the press release is incorrect about the date of the original film. Regardless, is anyone else curious to see how The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D will manage to take place in a contemporary setting and pick up immediately after the first film? If you’re a fan of this franchise, then this approach probably sounds a lot like the disastrous 1994 sequel Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. That film basically ignored the events of the previous two sequels and was simultaneously a follow-up to the original film and a remake of it.
Interestingly, this has to be one of the only instances where a series eschews its revised continuity and reverts back to its original timeline (perhaps the producers of the Halloween franchise will take note). It all seems needlessly complicated, but maintaining a cohesive mythology probably isn’t all that important in the long run. All you really need is the iconic Leatherface character, a fresh crop of young victims-to-be, and the assertion that anyone trying to make sense of this nonsense is probably over-thinking it.
In the meantime, we’ll keep you updated on the development of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D.
Source: Lionsgate.
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*yawn A pathetic attempt at an unnecessary cash grab..Leatherface is such a basic story, I think Hollywood would be able to come up some sort of original idea.
I mean look at Insidious..Minimal budget, big return. Nice throwback to old school horror. No 3D, just clever film making.
I agree!
Haven’t they done enough with this series. Let it go.. Let’s come up with some new sicko’s in Hollywood and leave the ol’ school stuff in the past. This is just another way for them to try 3D and make more money on crap. I won’t be seeing this at all.
No thank you especially with the director of Takers at the helm.
the original was one of the most interesting, unique takes on the horror flick i had ever seen. It’s one of the few films i can honesty say terrified me when i watched it the first time.
They just reimagined it not even 10 years ago
AHHHHHHH!!!
wow..
Stop being so lazy, give us some new killers/characters. Give us the “next” Jason, Freddy whatever, and please stop with the 3D.
Re-imagine implies they have an imagination to begin with. Hollywood treated all these horror movies and their creators with such disdain when they first did these movies now all they want to do is recycle their ideas and make them as empty and mindless as they accused them of decades ago.
As for the 3-D craze it will run it’s course like it does when it rises from the dead like all the aforementioned slasher movie killers. They try it every decade and the reality is that it just makes movies look cheesy most of the time.
Wow is right Ricky!!!!
Wth is wrong with Hollywood? Its like every writer and producer took a sip of the stupid juice and it hasnt worn off yet. Develop NEW ideas people. Quit with the remakes and remakes of remakes.
/groan
Just reimagine everything in 3D guys – because that’s what Hollywood is doing.
Doesn’t make it right, or good, or even worth anticipating, just the way it is.
Super Lame.
Yes, yes, and more yes! I could never get enough of these films, love them all, even the remakes. So keep them coming!
3D horror is pathetic. There are many poorly contrived scenes that go out of the way to make something jump at you. Another remake, another fail.
just be happy they are still making horror movies.
cant wait, love iconic horror villains, they never go away thats half the fun that people dont get. us horror fans need our symbolic villains on the big screen time and time again. – JBM
Rickster! are you bringing your family along to see this?
Oh dear lord….. Why? Just thinking about the last remakes make me throw up in my mouth.
I don’t mind another Chainsaw film or even a re-imagining. Hollywood just needs to stop with the “Based on a true story,” and 3D crap just to sell movies. The iconic value of the character alone should just be enough. Because if you know the real story of Ed Gein, it doesn’t involve a chainsaw, a face wearing serial killer or a canniblistic family at all.
And plus, he only killed like what, 3 people. Times are too hard to be shelling out hard earned dollars on something not needed in the first place. Food, gas and bills are far more important. 3D won’t make any film better if it’s crap to begin with.
Lol, Do film makers in hollywood have a special computer with two buttons that say ” Remake & Reboot”? when they highlight a franchise they come across? I only liked the original film, the sequels were all crap imo. Imo, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre & Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning were both better than the sequels of the original. But another film in 3D? Id give the franchise a good rest & make a attempt to come up with something new. I know ill get bashed for this, but if they’re gonna remake films, somthing like Killer Klowns From Outter Space or Wax Works for a modern audience? They won’t beat the originals, but probly still might be good.
Man I didn’t think that any one but me saw Killer Klowns.
I would like to PD give us another Friday 13th instead, or some thing original like Hack/Slash.
@ UncleShaggy
You’d be surprised, it’s cult classic really. I got the dvd. I watched it since i was a kid & never been tired of it. Sad that hot blonde girl gets wrapped up in cotton candy though, but thats how most horror films are like. Lol i even asked one of my ex-gfs how she would like to be wrapped in cotton candy, said she’d want me wrapped up with her,lol. I heard of a sequel might happen but i have my doubts. I wouldn’t mind if they tried a remake with today’s young stars like Anna paquin, Hayden pantinere etc. Waxworks was another one but then again that might be more complex & better to be left alone. I liked the original, but didn’t care for the sequel.
Dude she is now your ex, she sounds like a keeper to me. lol Man I would love to see a sequel, a remake wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe the guys from Zombie Land can make it.
Waxworks sounds familiar, I’m not sure if I seen it.
@ UncleShaggy
Lol one of the few ex’s, long story. Id like to see a sequel aswell or a remake like you said wouldn’t be so bad. Especially if it was done by filmakes like you said who made Zombieland perhaps. Look up Waxworks, just so you don’t confuse it w/ House Of Wax or anything. I bought the double-feature dvd cause that was the only dvd i found it on, but i don’t bother watching Waxworks 2 which i found to be bad.
@WallyWest
That’s funny that first thing that I did was to check it on IBDM just to make sure that I didn’t mix the two. I’ll have to rent it to be sure. Thanks for the heads up on part 2.
Wax Work, I read was in the nogiations for a remake and had Anthony Hickox’s blessing. just don’t know how far the idea has gotten.
I am all for a Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie in 3d. I don’t want another remake or reboot though. I am so sick of those words. Why cant they just make a Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie in 3d?
Leatherface…the number 1 spokesman for STIHL going strong for almost 37 years
Yet again, it’s just a lack of new ideas combined with intense laziness. Stop remaking/rebooting/re-imagining/sequel-ising great films!
The original Leatherface was essentially just a sad, lumbering retard who attacks when he is threatened. That made him scary.
Now he has been turned into a calculating, hulking, slasher movie killer who has a silly backstory and constantly carries a ‘cool’ chainsaw. The 3D aspect is the icing on the cake, how many times can a chainsaw be pointed at the screen?
Balls to this.
It is not another remake, it a sequel to the original. It is just going to forget the other sequels. This time in 3D. Think about it, a chainsaw coming throw the screen could be good for the franchise.
“Think about it, a chainsaw coming throw the screen could be good for the franchise.”
Surely that must be a joke?
I love the movies. One of my favorites. Haven’t seen it in 3D but I am sure it was and is good. Keep up the good up.
I think the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movie Concept is interesting. I loved the remake and sequel to the remake and I look forward to the storyline for this one. I wish they would bring Sally (Marilyn Burns) in for a cameo. Would be interesting to see what became of her after all these years. Shame they are not filming in Texas. Louisiana is no comparison to Texas. Please tell me what other fans think.
That’s funny that first thing that I did was to check it on IBDM just to make sure that I didn’t mix the two. I’ll have to rent it to be sure. Thanks for the heads up on part 2.
It can’t be but so bad guys i mean c’mon. At least Uwe bowl is not the director….see….it could always be worse.