A24 recruiting creator-directors

A24 is leaning harder into internet-native filmmakers, hiring creators with built-in followings to direct studio-backed movies. (deadline.com) The clearest new move came on April 22, when Deadline and Variety reported that A24 hired Curry Barker to write and direct a reimagined *Texas Chainsaw Massacre*. Barker broke out online with short horror work and made his feature debut with *Obsession*. (deadline.com) (variety.com) Kane Parsons, the YouTube creator known as Kane Pixels, is already directing A24’s *Backrooms*, which the studio lists for 2026 with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass in the cast. A24’s app lists the film at 105 minutes. (a24films.com) (app.a24films.com) Ian Tuason followed a similar path. A24 bought his debut feature *Undertone* after its Fantasia premiere in a competitive bidding process, and The Hollywood Reporter said the deal landed in the mid-seven figures. (deadline.com) (hollywoodreporter.com) The Philippou brothers are the template for the strategy. Danny and Michael Philippou built an audience on YouTube’s RackaRacka channel before directing *Talk to Me*, which became one of A24’s best-known horror hits. (itc.ua) (a24films.com) A24 is pairing those creator bets with larger, starrier releases. The studio dropped a *Mother Mary* trailer with Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, and A24’s social feeds also pushed *The Death of Robin Hood* footage this week. (youtube.com) (x.com 1) (x.com 2) On television, A24 is also coming into April with recognizable brands. Its TV page highlights *Euphoria* and *Beef*, and outside tracking cited by entertainment outlets shows *Beef* season two reaching No. 1 on Netflix in the United States after its April 16 release. (a24films.com) (screenrant.com) The pattern is less about abandoning prestige than about changing where prestige talent comes from. A24 is pulling directors from YouTube horror, podcast-style indie filmmaking and social-first fandoms, then surrounding them with known intellectual property, awards actors or both. (deadline.com) (variety.com) (a24films.com) That gives the studio a different kind of opening-weekend insurance. A filmmaker who arrives with millions of views, a recognizable online identity or a fan community brings an audience before the first review posts. (tubefilter.com) (hollywoodreporter.com) If the bet works, A24 keeps doing what made its name—selling distinct directors—while widening the pipeline beyond film schools, festivals and music videos. In 2026, that pipeline runs straight through creator platforms. (deadline.com 1) (deadline.com 2)