Texas Chainsaw Massacre may be gearing up for another installment because rumors suggest a new film is in development. What could the next chapter in this horrifying saga look like?
In 1974, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre took the horror fandom by storm. The story follows five friends on a trip to Texas, where they meet a family of murderous cannibals. Director Tobe Hooper collaborated with co-writer Kim Henkel to create the first film in the franchise. Leatherface became an icon and the franchise became a pillar of the scary movie community.
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE – A Brief History Of Leatherface Continuity
Canon and continuity in Texas Chainsaw Massacre is as haphazard as it gets. The first 3 sequels (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation) all operate as soft reboots. They suggest that the events of the previous movies are canon, then change the cast, characters and locations so significantly that these films cannot be considered “true” sequels.
RELATED: Texas Chainsaw Massacre Review: A Beautiful Blue & Red Nightmare Straight From Hell
The 2003 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a complete reboot, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning is a prequel to the reboot. Leatherface (2017) is a direct prequel to the original movie, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D is a sequel to both of those films. This is arguably the only real trilogy in the franchise. The most recent installment, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) is another direct sequel to the 1974 film.
In 2024, rumors about a new movie in the franchise began to circulate online. On Feb. 5, Bloody Disgusting reported on a rumor originally started by Daniel RPK. The rumor claims that a movie tentatively titled “Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy” is in development. Bloody Disgusting revealed that they had also heard rumor of a new TCM movie entering development. How can Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy succeed where other films in the franchise have failed?
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE LEGACY – Should Be A Sequel To TCM 2022
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy should continue the story of the last film. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) may not have been universally beloved in the horror fandom, but it still has a lot of fans. The film was a strong performer for Netflix in terms of viewership, and it subtly set up a sequel. A post-credit scene showed Leatherface returning to his home from the first movie, teasing a potential reunion with his family.
Ideally, director David Blue Garcia would return to for a sequel, giving this Legacy project a stronger connection to the latest chapter. Elsie Fisher could return as Lila, which would add layers to a performance that is already quite strong. As icing on the cake, the film could connect to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (or even 3 or 4!) through flashbacks and creative use of old footage.
Producer Fede Alvarez already has an in-universe explanation on how the sequels could fit into the greater canon.
“Probably… I think…. a lot of the movies that happened after [the original] still happened. He probably escaped, ya know. He was in and out of that place for a long time. I think she probably gave him enough chances as movies [that] happened. And then it got to a point where he settled down. He just stayed there.”
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE LEGACY – Leatherface Needs A New Family
One element that Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy needs to succeed is that of the cannibal family. In the first film and several of the sequels, Leatherface is part of a family of backwater, redneck cannibals. Originally, the family was unnamed. Leatherface’s brothers were called “The Hitchhiker” and “The Cook”. TCM 2 revealed that the family’s surname was “Sawyer”, and swapped out Hitchhiker for a new maniac named Chop Top. An extremely elderly “Grandpa” is usually the patriarch of the dysfunctional family. TCM 3 introduced yet another variation of the Sawyer family, and TCM 4 introduced a new family named the “Slaughters”.
In the rebooted timeline the family was named the “Hewitt’s”. Leatherface is part of an extremely toxic and disturbed family, and while he is part of their evil, he is also a victim of it. Whether it is the Sawyer’s, Slaughter’s, or Hewitt’s, they all abuse him emotionally, mentally, and physically. Due to his cognitive challenges and years of brainwashing, Leatherface has no easy option to abandon his cannibalistic way of life. The family dynamic adds layers to this franchise that other slasher films lack, and that element has been missing from the latest Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies. Legacy should right that wrong.
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE LEGACY – Create An Iconic Final Girl
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy has over 50 years of history to explore and comment on. When the original film was released in 1974, the concept of the American slasher movie had not been solidified. The film credited with creating the sub-genre is usually Halloween (1978), but there is no denying the impact and formative influence of this franchise. Furthermore, while some film aficionados might argue that Texas Chain Saw Massacre is not a slasher, all of the sequels are. Sally Hardesty is the sole survivor of the first movie, and she can be considered the prototype for the “Final Girl”.
The slasher movie formula is simple. Take a woman in her teens or early 20’s, and surround her with a group of somewhat dislikable peers. Introduce a vengeful, repressed murderer (often masked) who will attack and kill all of those peers. Eventually, the “Final Girl” stands as the sole survivor and she either escapes or defeats the murderer. She is transformed by the violence, and she often exhibits traits more stereotypically associated with the masculine. Characters like Laurie Strode (Halloween), Sidney Prescott (Scream), and Kirsty Cotton (Hellraiser) fit this pattern to a tee, and they are beloved by horror fans around the globe.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy is tasked with dissecting the trope. Whether that is through the continuation of Lila’s story, a deeper dive into Sally Hardesty’s life, or the introduction of a new lead, the next movie needs an incredible Final Girl.
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE LEGACY – Connect The Franchise With The Illuminati
The slasher genre has gone on adventures which cross through space (Jason X), time (Happy Death Day 2U), and even the “real world” (Wes Craven’s New Nightmare). The idea of multiple dimensions has never been a big part of the subgenre, but clearly fans are open to really wacky, unbelievable sci-fi storytelling in slashers. Considering that, Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy is faced with an incredible opportunity.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation introduced a secret society into the franchise, one inspired by The Illuminati. The shadow government seems to be responsible for the horrible crimes committed by Leatherface and his brood. Legacy could bring this group back and could reveal that they travel to and observe alternate dimensions. Different scenes throughout the film could be inspired by different eras in the franchise. The importance of the battle between Leatherface and the Final Girl could be explored as a multiversal constant, something that is fated to happen over and over again.
The concept is certainly out there, but it could be the perfect opportunity to explore the legacy of the franchise. Different versions of Leatherface, his family, and the Final Girl could all be featured, creating a wholly unique slasher that also works as a love letter to Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy is just a rumor at this time, and it may never become more than that. However, if the film does materialize someday, it has nearly limitless potential.
ABOUT TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Directed By: Tobe Hooper
Written By: Tobe Hooper & Kim Henkel
Cinematography: Daniel Pearl
Starring: Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen Allen Danzinger, Paul A. Partain, John Larroquette, Jim Siedow, John Dugan, Edwin Neil, William Vail, Teri McMinn
Synopsis: Five friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within. Something armed with a chainsaw.
What do you think “Texas Chainsaw Massacre Legacy“ should look like? Let us know your thoughts on social media, and thanks for reading! We are always watching.
KEEP READING: GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE FINAL TRAILER UNVEILED, TICKETS NOW ON SALE
