Loads of horror classics such as”Poltergeist” and “It” are getting the reboot or remake treatment, but there’s no denying that these reboots are starting to get a little bit tiresome. However, there’s nothing worse than an ongoing film franchise that should have ended long, long time ago.
Just when we thought 2013’s “Texas Chainsaw 3D” would be the final instalment of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” franchise, TheWrap exclusively reported that a prequel is currently in development with “EastEnders” star Sam Strike in talks to star as the young Leatherface.
The “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” franchise is an American horror franchise that consists of 7 slasher films, comics, and a video game adaptation of the original film. Tobe Hooper directed the original film in 1974 based on a screenplay written by Kim Henkel and himself. It is the most successful film in the entire series as it introduced the world to Leatherface, a terrifying slasher who terrorises and kills unsuspecting visitors to its territory.
Since the franchise already spawned numerous sequels and remakes, it came as no surprise to us that a director would want to introduce Leatherface’s origin story through a prequel film.
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning”, the prequel to 2003’s remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, was the first to introduce the slasher’s origin story. Released in 2006, the prequel received mixed reviews from the critics due to its attempt to transform the slasher into a “horror anti-hero” with his empathetic side.
Now, TheWrap is reporting that another prequel is currently in the works and it will be produced by “Texas Chainsaw 3D” producer CarlMazzocone, along with Christa Campbell, Lati Grobman, and Les Weldon. The project is being executive produced by Millennium’s Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson, John Thompson, Mark Gill, and Beth Bruckner O’Brien.
Titled “Leatherface”, the prequel will be directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, based on a screenplay written by up-and-coming genre scribe Seth M. Sherwood.
Maury’s and Bustillo’s involvement in the project bring high hopes to the fans as they are the French filmmakers behind the horror cult hit, “Inside”. It was reported that the prequel is set to take place in 1970s and it will centre on Jackson, a young boy who grows up to become the chainsaw-wielding psychopath.
Source: Radio Times
Sm Strike is currently eyed to play a younger Leatherface, the antagonist who was reportedly inspired by Wisconsin killer Ed Gein. Best known for playing Johnny Carter in BBC soap opera “EastEnders” and Daniel “Dan” Morgan in CBBC series “M.I. High”, the English actor is expected to portray the killer who wears masks made of human skin and engage in murder and cannibalism. In the previous films, his character drives most of the plots and appears in all of the movies as he obeys his kills based on the orders by his older family members.
No further details about the project were announced yet, but what do you think of the prequel idea? Would you like to see it? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
(Source: TheWrap)