When asked about the possibilities of a Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3 he tells Bloody-Disgusting that Platinum Dunes has absolutely no plans in the future to continue the franchise, for them it's finished.

I find that relieving in light of the trash that was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.  This franchise is dead once again, and still, no sequel, prequel, or remake has yet to equal the raw, terrifying, and relentless masterpiece of Tobe Hooper's original Massacre.  There have been six films since then, and I think it's time to stop trying.  Don't drive its name into the ground anymore than you already have, Platinum Dunes.  Please.

9.25.06
For fans in my corner of the world, the great and vast Chicagoland area here in Illinois, you will have the opportunity to meet the original Leatherface, Gunnar Hansen at the Hollywood Blvd cinema in Woodridge, Illinois on Wednesday, October 4th.  He will be present from 6pm-10pm for a screening of the original, classic Texas Chain Saw Massacre from director Tobe Hooper.  You can visit Hansen's official site, and the website of what has been voted "Best Theatre" by Chicago Magazine, and the only theatre to receive an A+ rating by the Chicago Sun-Times.  The cinema bar and eatery is located at 1001 West 75th Street (at Lemont Road), Woodridge, IL  60517.

9.14.06
Keeping up with all the TCM news has been tough, and keeping the info for the upcoming new DVDs for the original two films in the series (both directed by Tobe Hooper) has been difficult for me.  But to help keep things clearer, an official website has been launched by Dark Sky Films for their Ultiamte Edition DVD set of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.  The usual content is there - DVD specs, wallpapers, and info documenting the restoration of the film.  Get those chain saws revving up, the next couple weeks are gonna be a Leatherface fan's dream come true!

9.4.06
DavisDVD has obtained the full list of specs for the upcoming "Gruesome Edition" of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 being released from MGM / Sony Pictures Home Entertainment with a release date of October 10th (six days after TCM: The Beginning hits theatres). Here are the specs along with the cover art which follows in the design style of the Saw films (just like that one wallpaper on the new film's official site): 

Look for an all-new 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer supervised by DP Richard Kooris, an audio commentary with director Tobe Hooper and a second commentary with actors Bill Moseley, Caroline Williams and makeup FX artist Tom Savini, the all-new 90-min. documentary "It Runs in the Family" split into six parts ("Texas Screenplay Massacre" with scriptwriter L.M. Kit Carson, "The Art of Mayhem" set design and photography, "Cast of Characters," "Prime Meat" never-before-seen on-set footage, "Father of the Saw" cast and crew memories of working with Hooper and "Requiem for a Sequel" cast and crew memories), deleted scenes (including Joe Bob Briggs' cameo), poster & still gallery and the original trailer. Thanks to Brad for the assist.

This info has also been posted in the DIGITAL HORROR section. 
 
 

9.2.06
Fangoria reports that a Texas Chainsaw television series is being planned as a spin-off from the current feature film continuity.  How such a thing will be possible following a family of cannibals fronted by a silent killer that weilds a chainsaw, and wears masks made out of human flesh is beyond me.  However it's developed, it won't remotely be as violent or visceral as the films, it can't be unless aired on HBO.  One speculation I've heard is something like Twin Peaks where the exposure of the Hewitt clan is minimal, and the show focuses on a police or news report's investigation.  Either way, it sounds like a foolish idea, and could possibly go the way of the Crystal Lake Chronicles that Sean Cunningham keeps talking about, but never makes any progress on.  Here's the Fango article: 

Of those franchises currently serving as stilts in New Line’s House of Horror, two of the three have made the leap to the small screen by way of an ongoing series. Burying a knife in the Nielsen ratings long enough to find a modicum of success, FREDDY'S NIGHTMARES and FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES each had little to do with their respective baddies; however, that won’t be the case with Leatherface if he has his way.

It appears someone is seeing further potential in the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE mythos beyond the big-screen fare, and is considering an original DVD series entitled TEXAS CHAINSAW CHRONICLES. Curious that this comes to us shortly after this week’s reminder that the SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES TV series is forging ahead (with THE X FILES’ David Nutter at the helm of the pilot). Fango learned of the CHRONICLES project just yesterday, and through further digging discovered that Terence Evans is returning to play the hobbled pervo “Old Monty”—which could only mean that this series is taking its cue from the recent New Line films and will center around the Hewitt clan. But is New Line, or production entity Platinum Dunes, involved? It would seem natural. Our sources do say that MPI Home Video (which releases the original CHAINSAW in a gala two-disc set on the Dark Sky label September 26; see our review here) is somehow playing a part in making this happen.

Keep the chainsaw warmed up and the gasoline handy as we look deeper into this story… —Ryan Rotten

8.11.06
Horror Hound snagged a shot at the final packaged NECA Leatherface figure from the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.  It was recently on display at the Chicago Comic-Con, and you can view it via the link below.  No word on when it will be available, but the set comes with the new prequel's Leatherface along with his workbench, vicitim, an array of "tools" and alternate heads (or masks).
TCM06_FIGURE.JPG

7.29.06
Horror Hound & Davis DVD have details on that long-begged-for special edition DVD of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2!  MGM/Sony Home Entertainment will release the "Gruesome Edition" sometime in September (just in time to pick the Ultimate Edition of Hooper's original film).  Specs are set to include

...new interviews with cast and crew, including stars Bill Moseley and Tom Savini, along with deleted scenes and a new anamorphic widescreen transfer.  Fango also reports that the DVD will include a six-part documentary, running about 90 minutes and featuring interviews with nearly a dozen cast and crew members, covering the entire production including the screenwriting, casting, art direction/set design, makeup FX and more, with never-before-seen on-set footage.  Now we'll finally be able to see the Bill Moseley deleted scene everyone's been talking about!

6.13.06
The official DVD cover artwork has been released from Dark Sky Films for their 2-Disc Ultimate Edition DVD release of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre!  This brand new release will sport the very FIRST anamorphic widescreen transfer of the film, ever!  Easily, it will be the best looking release of Tobe Hooper's classic, ever.  Yes, this film was meant to have a gritty style to it, but the image quality will now allow that grittiness to be as strong as ever.  Treat yourself this September, and view the artwork below.
TCM_ULTIMATEDVD.GIF

6.10.06
Sideshow Collectibles have announced their Premium Format Leatherface figure from Tobe Hooper's original Texas Chain Saw Massacre!  They are taking pre-orders now for a fourth-quarter 2006 shipping date.  The figure includes Bubba Sawyer in his dinner attire and the "pretty lady" mask instead of the traditional "killing mask."  This certainly makes this a very special collectors' item, and one to act upon now.  This will be a limited edition figure, but to how many units is to be determined.

6.7.06
Strange news, but good news also.  First, the official website is online at TexasChainsawMovie.com.  Secondly, the trailer for Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning is available online at Apple.com, but the twisted logic of the MPAA (the bastards that they are) have given this trailer a "green band" certification (meaning it's approved "for all audiences"), but have also stated that it is too intense for some viewers and so could not be shown online at all or with anything but an R-rated feature.  If they felt as such, it should have been a "red band" trailer for restricted audiences only.  But New Line went back to the all mighty MPAA, and got permission to show it online between 10pm & 4am.  Frankly, that is a crock of crap since this makes the promotion for this film nearly non-existent, but FOREVER HORROR is all about the fans.  Delivering what horror fans desire is what we've dedicated ourselves to (okay, so it's a one-man show around here, but Joe's always been in agreement on this).  Long story short, the simple trick to view the trailer is to set the clock on your computer to anytime between 10pm & 4am, and the links to the trailer will automatically appear after reloading the page.

But for a slightly quicker solution, FOREVER HORROR is proud to present the theatrical trailer for New Line Cinema & Platinum Dunes' Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning due for an October 6th, 2006 release date.  Just visit our MULTIMEDIA ARCHIVE to download the large QuickTime trailer. 

6.6.06
The news has gone around (cite Bloody-Disgusting, JoBlo) that the trailer for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning will be attached to 20th Century Fox's remake of The Omen - being released today.  Still, don't be surprised if it doesn't show up.  The two films are from different studios, and one studio does not attach the trailer from another studio to their prints.  Though, it is probably on the trailer list, and so, it is up to theatre managers if they'll play the trailer.  Anyway, the official poster has been released, and can be seen via the link beLow.
TCM_BEGINNING_PSTR.JPG

5.29.06
DavisDVD finally follows up their previous news on the SE DVD of the original TCM with specs, price, and release date:

We told you about it last March, and now we have a street date: Dark Sky Films' The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Ultimate Edition will be released on September 26th. This two-disc set of the 1974 horror classic will include an anamorphic widescreen transfer (from a new high-definition transfer of the 16mm camera negative), along with new Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo mixes and the original mono track.

Bonus materials will include a new commentary track with stars Marilyn Burns, Alan Danziger, Paul A. Partain and Production Designer Robert A. Burns, a second track with Tobe Hooper, Director of Photography Daniel Pearl and Gunnar Hansen (ported over from Pioneer's release), deleted & alternate footage, trailers, TV spots, radio spots and still galleries. Making its Stateside debut on disc 2 is David Gregory's 2000 documentary "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth" with outtakes, the new "Flesh Wounds" featurette featuring new interviews with various cast & crew members, a tour of the house with Gunnar Hansen, plus other goodies. Retail is $29.99. 

3.3.06
DavisDVD reports that Tobe Hooper's original Texas Chain Saw Massacre will once again be released on DVD, but this time, it's from a new company with all new features.  Plus, it will be a two disc edition which should arrive just in time to take advantage of the publicity for New Line Cinema's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.  Here's what they had to report:

Specialty label Dark Sky Films has sent us early details for a new two-disc edition of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Vowing to trump all other previous releases of the 1974 horror classic, the new set will boast an anamorphic widescreen transfer (from a new high-definition transfer of the 16mm camera negative), along with new Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo mixes and the original mono track.

Bonus materials will include a new commentary track with stars Marilyn Burns, Alan Danziger, Paul A. Partain and Production Designer Robert A. Burns, a second track with Tobe Hooper, Director of Photography Daniel Pearl and Gunnar Hansen (ported over from Pioneer's release), deleted & alternate footage, trailers, TV spots, radio spots and still galleries.

Making its Stateside debut on disc two is David Gregory's 2000 documentary Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth, featuring interviews with the directors of all four films in the series. Also included on this second disc will be a new documentary produced by Red Shirt Pictures, featuring new interviews with various cast & crew members, footage from all the major locations used in the first film and tons of other goodies. Look for this new "Chainsaw" to be released in September. 

2.18.06
Fangoria posted an article about the prequel to the TCM remake.  There's not much substance, but it gives a decent rundown of the premise and the cast.  Also, even though there are only five publicity photos for this film, they have been added to the Mutlimedia Archive.

February 17: First Fango report on new TEXAS CHAINSAW

Marcus Nispel’s TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE remake was a surprise box-office smash in the fall of 2003. While fans of the original were divided on both the finished product and the idea to remake it in the first place, there’s no denying the remake hit a new core audience that had not been influenced by the mythology surrounding the primary franchise. On October 6, 2006, New Line goes back to explore the early days of the Hewitt clan (renamed from the original family name Sawyer) in TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING.

The prequel, which takes place in 1969—five years before the original was set—chronicles the origins of the Hewitts’ mutual psychosis. As the conflict in Vietnam reaches epic proportions, 18-year-old Dean Hill (Taylor Handley, who played the disturbed Oliver on THE O.C.’s first season) is about to be drafted. His brother (Matthew Bomer from FLIGHT PLAN, pictured below left with Handley) who’s in the Marine Corps and has already done some time in the war, decides to take Dean on one last fandango through rural Texas with their girlfriends (THE FACULTY’s Jordana Brewster [pictured above] and Diora Baird from WEDDING CRASHERS) before they head off to battle. Little do they know that the fate that awaits them on the home front is significantly worse. “They’re lambs to the slaughter either way,” Bomer SAYs, to which co-star Andrew Bryniarski, returning as Leatherface, adds, “You have better chances of surviving in Vietnam than in Travis County.”

Most likely to achieve Final Girl status is Brewster’s character, who gets separated from her friends after an unexpected car accident and witnesses her pals being corralled by the sadistic Sheriff Hoyt (Ermey, also back from the previous movie). When he herds them off to the Hewitt place for some Texas-style torture, she remains their only hope for survival.

Bryniarski, whose status as the new Leatherface was kept a secret from the press prior to the remake’s release in 2003, is only too happy to get his two cents in this time around. “This will be the definitive CHAINSAW movie,” he says. “It answers all the whys. People are going to be really satisfied by this movie, really blown away. In my estimation, Leatherface is like a beaten dog—he was ostracized and ridiculed, and treated harshly by his peers. The psychological damage they inflicted was immense…there’s no chance for him. One day, he gets his release, and his revenge. And when you see the chronicle of events that are the impetus for what happens, he becomes strangely sympathetic.”

South African-born director Jonathan Liebesman, who made his feature debut with DARKNESS FALLS, was drawn to the chaotic possibilities of the franchise. “I liked the insanity of the original,” he says. “It was so unbridled and improvised; insanity is so calculated in movies today.” Look for further coverage of the madness in upcoming issues of FANGORIA. —Kier-la Janisse

8.9.05
Bloody Disgusting states that October 6th, 2006 has been announced as the release date for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Origin - the prequel to 2003's remake from New Line Cinema and producer Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes production company.  Jonathan Liebesman is directing, and R. Lee Ermey is returning to the cast.  Jordana Brewster has also been cast in an undisclosed role.  The available synopsis is very vague, simply stating the plot to every TCM movie - some young people get lost in Texas and encounter Leatherface along with his family.  I'm sure more will be made available in 2006 when production has begun and the promotional machine gets rolling.  Some may say there's really no need for a prequel since Leatherface really has the least intriguing origin compared to Jason, Freddy, the Tall Man, or even Michael Myers.  In any case, if it's at least as well done as Marcus Nispel's remake, I will see it and support it.  No further details are available at this time, but it is well rumored that Andrew Bryniarski will return as Thomas "Leatherface" Hewitt (it would be the first time anyone has reprised the role, despite this being a different continuity).

2.2.05
Well, things are still moving on the prequel to New Line's remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  Bloody-Disgusting caught a few details from producer Brad Fuller on how it is all progressing as well as some bits out Platinum Dunes' remake of The Amityville Horror.

"We are locking picture on 'Amityville' in the next two weeks, and things are a little nuts.  As for TCM2 (actually it's a prequel so maybe it should be -1) we have a draft of the script, and are in the process of hiring another writer to expand on the origin elements of the story.  We hope to have that draft in in the next two months.  Ideally we should be shooting this summer in Austin.  Our intention is to out do ourselves.  Since we started the company with Texas Chainsaw Massacre, it holds a special place for us, and as such we have no intention of diluting it by churning out bad sequels or prequels.  Leatherface will be back, and we hope to bring back the entire family, but all that remains to be seen.  It is dependant on the script and the actors availability."