EXCLUSIVE: Studios and filmmakers are knocking on Verve‘s door because the company is sitting on a bloody good IP that they’re seeking to take in town: The Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath. Verve has repped the rights for the Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel created slasher collection since 2017.
At a time when horror and franchises are actually the one surefire bets at a submit Covid and strike impacted field workplace, the 51-year outdated horror property a few chainsaw-wielding serial killer nonetheless has potential to make a killing.
One of many events, we hear, exhibiting curiosity in reviving Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath is filmmaker/scribe JT Mollner and producer Roy Lee scorching off their $3M grossing, 96% licensed Rotten Tomatoes cult hit Unusual Darling. If Mollner will get a script collectively, phrase is that Glen Powell wish to learn it, for a doable starring and producing gig. It’s very early days on this; no contracts or attachments as of but and the Mollner/Powell combo is however one get together out of many (although we’ve heard that Lionsgate, A24 and others are expressing curiosity in that model). Additionally, don’t be shocked if NEON jumps within the fray submit their work with Oz Perkins on Longlegs, The Monkey, and upcoming Keeper, they’re in search of their subsequent huge horror movie.
Stated a Verve rep to Deadline, “Verve represents The Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath property and is constructing out a multimedia technique for the seminal horror franchise.”
“Verve has not formally submitted the property into any filmmakers, producers, or patrons,” the rep continued, “As a result of that is such a scorching and iconic horror property, packages are preemptively being delivered to Verve.”
Amongst horror IP, The Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath is the little engine that might. Conceived by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel, and directed by Hooper, the undertaking was impressed by serial killers like Ed Gein and Elmer Wayne Henley. Hooper shot the function about killer Leatherface, who makes use of his chainsaw to go on a cannibalistic killing spree for $140,000 (unadjusted for inflation). Hooper shot the film in rural Texas countryside with unknown actors in 95 diploma plus warmth. A really pre-Night time Courtroom John Larroquette narrated the film. The pic’s technique of funding is an exhibit A in indie finance with cash pieced collectively by Hooper’s buddy Invoice Parsley throwing in $60,000. President of the Texas State Bar Joe Okay. Longley kicked in one other $23K. Hooper couldn’t discover a distributor till Warren Skaaren, then head of the Texas Movie Fee, pointed him within the route of the Bryanston Distributing Firm which took international rights. Bryanston was well-known for releasing one of many submit worthwhile top-grossing X-rated motion pictures of all-time, 1972’s Deep Throat which was made for $22K and grossed round $30M-$50M on the field workplace. Bryanston’s minimize of Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath was huge at a $225K flat payment and a reported 35% of earnings. After the buyers recouped their monies, and attorneys and attorneys, a reported $8,1K was left to divide amongst 20 solid and crew members. The unique 1974 film would go on to make $31M worldwide. The producers sued Bryanston for failing to pay them their full share of earnings. A courtroom judgment dominated that Bryanston pay the filmmakers a half million, however by that point, the distributor had declared chapter.
There could be an final silver lining for Hooper: Steven Spielberg tapped him to direct a horror film that he co-wrote and produced, Poltergeist, which turned in a large summer season hit in 1982 grossing north of $77M home (unadjusted for inflation).
‘Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath: Subsequent Technology’ starring Matthew McConaughey, Renee Zellweger
In 1983, New Line Cinema acquired distribution rights. All the franchise would go on to depend 9 motion pictures in whole grossing north of $252M on the worldwide field workplace, in addition to comics, a novel and two online game diversifications. The franchise was additionally answerable for launching marquee stars. The 1994 sequel, The Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath: The Subsequent Technology, starred a really early days Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger.
New Line launched a prolific 2003 remake directed by German filmmaker Marcus Nispel with Michael Bay producing and pre-Quiet Place Andrew Kind and Brad Fuller EPing. It starred Jessica Biel simply as she was segueing from seventh Heaven to the large display and stays the very best grossing installment at $107M. That model was additionally shot by the unique DP of the 1974 movie, Daniel Pearl. The final Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath film was 2017’s Leatherface which didn’t obtain a stateside theatrical launch.
We’ll preserve you apprised on Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath‘s killing spree round city as initiatives come collectively.
