It’s been just over fifty years since Texas Chainsaw Massacre defined the 70s horror scene – and set the genre on fire. And now, this sun-stained, screaming classic is coming back to haunt audiences once more.
In a joint-announcement made by Dark Sky Films and Exurbia Films, we can expect to see a new, rotoscoped version of the 1974 horror will debut in 2027. Rotoscoping, a process of hand-animation invented in 1915, will see each frame illustrated painstakingly by hand, tracing each piece of footage down to the fine details. Heralded by early Disney classics such as Snow White, popularised by Richard Linklater’s sentimental features, it is a long-utilised process – and one that upholds the sanctity of human creativity.
This reimagining, which will feature no usage of AI in its creation, is spearheaded by Animation Director and Art Director Paul Beck. Known for his collaborations with Richard Linklater, Beck played a vital role in the redefinition of modern rotoscoping. When discussing the project, Beck said, in a statement:
“The original Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a masterpiece that changed cinema forever… Our goal is to honour its legacy by reimagining it through the timeless art of hand-drawn rotoscoping, giving audiences a completely new way to experience a film they thought they already knew.”
Assisting Beck will be a team of experienced animators, including the likes of Nate Bayless (BoJack Horseman) and Jeremy Martinez (Undone).
American audiences will get the chance to see a sneak-peak of the film; a featurette with exclusive exploration footage, will show during Texas Chain Saw Day, on August 18th. During this one-day celebration, the footage will be shown nationwide. Tickets can be bought here.
It is clear that those behind this reimagining are upholding the central factor behind any cinematic release – human creativity. The lack of artificial input, as well as the historical cinematic uses of rotoscoping, will hopefully terrify audiences once more. It’s now down to Beck and his team to leave us screaming in fear!
