The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Is Getting a Hand-Animated Makeover — First Look Revealed

Tobe Hooper’s cult classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is being transformed into a feature-length rotoscoped animated film. Dark Sky Films and Exurbia Films have shared the first still from the unusual new take on the horror classic, which is currently slated for release in 2027.

For the project, artists are tracing the original 1974 film frame by frame entirely by hand. The creators have stressed that no artificial intelligence is being used in the production — all of the animation is being created using traditional techniques.

Rotoscoping will allow the team to preserve the original performances, shot composition, atmosphere, and intensity while completely transforming the movie’s visual presentation. Judging by the first image, the new version will feature a distinctly hand-drawn look while remaining instantly recognizable to fans of the horror classic.

The project is being led by animation director and art director Paul Beck, a longtime collaborator of Richard Linklater whose credits include Waking Life, A Scanner Darkly, and Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood. Lead animators Max Peake and Nate Bayless are also working on the new version of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, while Jeremy Martinez is handling the backgrounds.

Fans will get a closer look at the production process on August 18. On that date, Dark Sky Films and Fathom Entertainment will bring the restored 4K version of the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre back to U.S. theaters as part of the annual Texas Chain Saw Day. The screenings will take place for one night only.

Before the film, audiences will be shown a special behind-the-scenes featurette about the making of the rotoscoped version, including the first finished animated footage and a look at the production process.

The original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was released in 1974 and went on to become one of the most iconic horror films of all time. The rotoscoped version is expected to debut in 2027, although the creators have yet to announce an exact release date.

By the way, we previously published our Top 15 Horror Movies of All Time.

Would you watch a fully rotoscoped version of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, or do you think the original film’s visual style should be left untouched?