Although we may never know why the upcoming Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel, titled Leatherface after its namesake killer, has sat on a shelf at the studio for as long as it did (despite having been long since completed), what matters now is that the release date is nearly upon us. Following the continuity established by The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and Lionsgate's Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013), the film is an origin story focusing on three psychotic teenagers that escape a mental institution with a deranged Texas Ranger trailing them for revenge. One of these teens is destined to become the chainsaw-wielding killer, after enduring horrors that will virtually destroy his mind.
The film is directed by the French duo Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, known for their 2007 directorial debut Inside, a home invasion flick that put them on the map. Blood-soaked and packed full of their trademark style, the red band trailer paints Leatherface as one of the more unique entries in the series' decades-long history. It should be noted that there was an origin film back in 2006 called The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. However, it was a prelude to the 2003 remake of the franchise, of which the upcoming film has no connection.
The film will debut exclusively on the DirecTV television service on 21 September 2017, before receiving a full VOD release and limited theatrical run on 20 October 2017.