The future of one of horror’s most enduring franchises is coming into focus. The franchise in question is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which celebrated 50 years of existence last year, dating back to director Tobe Hooper’s seminal horror classic. Now though, all eyes are on what comes next as a bidding war has erupted over the rights, with several high-profile filmmakers and studios in the mix to take on Leatherface’s next chapter. Modern horror master Jordan Peeele, among others, are on the list.

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As we previously reported in March, JT Mollner (Strange Darling) was said to be in talks for a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre project, with Hollywood’s new it boy Glen Powell involved in some capacity. Now it seems things have escalated as Verve, the company that has controlled the rights to the franchise since 2017, is in the midst of a bidding war between various studios and streamers who want the chance to tackle this cherished bit of IP.

According to a new report from Deadline, anywhere between five and eight different suitors have emerged in the Texas Chainsaw sweepstakes. While the report carefully notes that there are no clear frontrunners at the moment, Taylor Sheridan, of Yellowstone fame, has emerged as an interested party. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Other names on the list included the aforementioned Mollner, who has aligned with producer Roy Lee, Powell, and A24 for a TV adaptation. Then there’s Oz Perkins, who is coming off of the success of The Monkey and last year’s Longlegs. He would co-write and produce alongside Bryan Bertino, known best for The Strangers, with NEON backing. Then there’s Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, with the company having a desire to produce a new film in the series. Peele’s company has a deal at Universal Pictures.

There’s a lot to discuss here. The most recent movie in the franchise was 2022’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre released by Netflix, which very much left the door open for a sequel. While a sequel was in development at one point, that eventually fell through. Netflix could still emerge as a bidder for the rights again as nothing is set in stone at this point.

Peele is certainly the biggest name on this list in the realm of horror, as the director of hits such as Get Out, Us and NOPE. As a producer, he helped relaunch Candyman in 2021, with movies like BlacKkKlansman and Monkey Man also on his resume. Having his name attached would generate an enormous amount of interest right from the jump. NEON and A24 are both big players in the arthouse scene who have increasingly been dabbling in horror. With the talent attached to those studio’s' pitches, they’re rather attractive as well.

So, what’s it going to come down to? Will Exurbia Films, the primary production company behind the franchise, go for who has the deepest pockets? Or do they care more about the creative vision? Right now, we have more questions than answers but we should be learning more sooner rather than later. Either way, things are getting interesting. Stay tuned.