'Texas Chain Saw Massacre' Prequel 'Leatherface' Gets September Release Date

08/31/2017 06:03 pm EDT

With a plethora of distribution options for independent horror films, movies will often be completed long before they ever see a release date, whether it be from tweaks in the editing room or delays for optimum release windows. One of these films is the highly-anticipated prequel to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Leatherface.

Following a screening at the upcoming Fright Fest, Leatherface will be an exclusive DirecTV release on September 21 with a limited theatrical run and VOD release on October 20, per Bloody Disgusting.

Considering the most recent installment in the slasher franchise, Texas Chainsaw 3D, performed fairly well in theaters, it's surprising that Lionsgate is skipping a major theatrical release.

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One of the reasons why the film might be skipping a wide release is that the studio doesn't have much faith in the project. The directors, Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, are some of the most creative and provocative European horror filmmakers, bringing audiences films like Inside and Among the Living, never shying away from graphic violence. However, the Texas Chain Saw franchise is inherently American, which means their filmmaking sensibilities might vary drastically from American horror sensibilities.

From the sound of things, the directors will continue to bring audiences brutal violence, as they've described to Bloody Disgusting that their film is "a brutal and nihilistic road movie that we hope will surprise and delight the fans."

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Interestingly, the filmmakers, who have earned much praise from their films that screen at festivals like South by Southwest and Fantastic Fest, have regularly suffered difficulties with their releases. Inside was released under Dimension's straight-to-video label, Among the Living only recently was released through horror streaming service Shudder after premiering in 2014, and Livid, which premiered in 2011, has never received any formal domestic distribution.

Originally shot in Bulgaria, the film has gone under multiple reshoots and various edits in hopes of giving a prequel film that lives up to Tobe Hooper's original horror masterpiece.

Leatherface isn't the first prequel to try to explore the character's origins, with Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning previously diving into how the character became "Leatherface." That film wasn't technically a prequel to the original film, but rather a prequel to the 2003 reboot starring Jessica Biel.

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