Curry Barker has a specific target for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot he's writing and directing for A24: the family that made Leatherface what he is.
"I want to lean into the uncomfortability of the family," Barker told Total Film. "I want to lean into the rawness of what's going on there. There's some really messed up stuff happening at that farm. I genuinely feel there's so much potential for that concept that has not been realized."
Barker, a YouTube comedian and filmmaker, was announced last month as the writer and director of the new reimagining. His project is separate from a Texas Chainsaw Massacre TV series also in development at A24, which is being created by JT Mollner and produced by Glen Powell and Dan Cohen at Barnstorm.
The original 1974 film was created by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel, with Gunnar Hansen originating the role of Leatherface. The franchise has seen multiple sequels and remakes in the decades since, with varying results.
Barker was candid about which version of the franchise shaped him most. He cited the 2003 Marcus Nispel-helmed remake as his personal favorite — and notably, the first horror film he ever saw as a child. "I actually think it's a decent remake," he said. "Still, there's so much that that concept hasn't really leaned into or hasn't dived into."
His stated approach is to respect the source material without simply reproducing it. "I'm not gonna stray away too far from what we know," he said, "but just making it stronger."
No casting or release timeline has been announced for the A24 film.
