Obsession Director Curry Barker to Lead Anything but Ghosts and Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot

Director Curry Barker’s horror film Obsession has earned $230 million on a $750,000 budget, outperforming the latest Star Wars movie in the U.S. Barker is now expanding this success into a shared universe with the upcoming film Anything but Ghosts and a Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot for A24.

What is the “Obsession Cinematic Universe”?

Barker’s follow-up project, Anything but Ghosts, will exist in the same universe as Obsession. The plot follows two fake paranormal investigators whose scam fails when they encounter actual supernatural entities.

Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard have signed on for the lead roles. Barker is co-writing the script with Cooper Tomlinson, who played the character Ian in Obsession and will also star in the new film.

During a screening Q&A, Barker revealed the film includes a news report about a “triple homicide [by] a woman,” which refers to the fallout of the cursed wish in the first movie.

Did You Know? Obsession was produced on a budget of $750,000 and went on to gross $230 million, surpassing the U.S. earnings of the most recent Star Wars release.

When will Obsession 2 be released?

A direct sequel to Obsession has not yet been officially developed. However, producer James Harris told Variety that he expects conversations regarding Obsession 2 to begin “sooner rather than later.”

Interview with Obsession's Curry Barker | Dead Meat Podcast Ep. 270

The timing of a sequel may depend on Barker’s current schedule. The director is currently managing multiple high-profile projects, including his new partnership with A24.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the transition from a $750,000 indie hit to managing an A24 franchise reboot represents a significant leap in industry leverage. By building a shared universe through Anything but Ghosts, Barker is likely attempting to establish a sustainable brand rather than relying on a single viral hit.

How is Barker rebooting Texas Chainsaw Massacre?

A24 has hired Barker to write and direct a movie reboot of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. Barker cited Tobe Hooper’s original film as a primary inspiration for his directing career after watching it at age 11.

Barker stated he intends to respect the source material while making the story “stronger.” He plans to focus on the “rawness” and “uncomfortability of the family” at the farm.

This reboot is part of a larger A24 push for the Leatherface character. The studio is also developing a separate television series with Glen Powell and writer JT Mollner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who stars in Anything but Ghosts? Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard are signed on, alongside Cooper Tomlinson and Curry Barker.
How much money did Obsession make? The film earned $230 million against a production budget of $750,000.
Is there a Texas Chainsaw Massacre TV show? Yes, A24 is developing a series with Glen Powell and JT Mollner.

Do you think horror franchises are more successful when they build a shared universe or stick to direct sequels?