The Saw film franchise may have seen its creative marrow drained dry by studio Lionsgate, as last seen in the ill-received 2017 sequel, Jigsaw, the eighth film in the transformative horror series. However, a metamorphosis is in the works, with the studio going back to the drawing board, teaming with – of all people – comedian Chris Rock, for what is vaguely being described as a reboot… or spinoff. – Honestly, it’s hard to tell at this point.
According to an official announcement, Saw will be getting a cinematic facelift to the original film series, all of which starred Tobin Bell as John Kramer, a.k.a. the Jigsaw Killer, a smart, sadistic kidnapper/torturer who uses a twisted sense of justice to select his victims. The next film entry, which will manifest from Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures, based off a script – adapting a concept pitched by Chris Rock – written by the duo of Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg (Jigsaw, Piranha 3D), for which Rock will also serve as executive producer.
Moreover, the plans appear to be in full motion, since Lionsgate came right out and revealed that the new, yet-to-be-titled, Saw film will hit theaters on October 23, 2020. As Rock expresses in a statement, lauding of the franchise:
“I’ve been a fan of Saw since the first film in 2004. I am excited by the opportunity to take this to a really intense and twisted new place.”
Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group chairman Joe Drake goes into further detail about the seemingly unlikely collaboration with the former SNL cast member-turned film star-turned sitcom producer, stating:
“When Chris Rock came to us and described in chilling detail his fantastic vision that reimagines and spins-off the world of the notorious Jigsaw Killer, we were all-in. Saw is one of the highest grossing horror franchises of all-time and it’s one of Lionsgate’s most successful film series.”
As Drake states of the new film’s creative direction:
“This upcoming film will still be as mind bending and intense as all the previous Saw films. Chris conceived this idea and it will be completely reverential to the legacy of the material while reinvigorating the brand with his wit, creative vision and passion for this classic horror franchise.”
The idea of a “mind bending” nature for this new Saw iteration is certainly an intriguing tease regarding the direction of the typically torture-teeming horror franchise. As perennial picture producers of the horror series, Mark Burg and Oren Koules, explain of its ambitious new dynamic using a comedy analogy:
“Chris wants to put his own spin on the Saw franchise in the way Eddie Murphy put a completely fresh perspective on buddy-cop films with 48 Hours. This new Saw is going to be an event film in the making for horror fans. It will have all of the twists and turns and hardcore layers that our fans expect directed by one of the masters of the craft, Darren Lynn Bousman. We can’t wait to get started.”
It will be interesting to see how a new Saw will fare as the horror genre evolves. While 2004’s original film, directed and co-written by eventual Aquaman helmer James Wan, had everyone dropping their iPods at cinemas in pure, unprecedented shock, it was eventually met with – as all horror franchises do – a general audience ennui as more sequels and genre clones arrived. Indeed, while Blumhouse currently holds most of the genre cards, notably with its recent successful reinvention of Halloween, there’s still plenty of money to be made elsewhere in horror. Case in point, Stephen King adaptation feature It earned $700 million worldwide to become the most lucrative horror film of all time (with sequel prospects glistening).
We will keep you apprised of the latest on the Saw reboot as news arrives!
