Get ready to see Saw like you’ve never seen Saw before.
According to Deadline, Lionsgate is teaming up with comedy legend Chris Rock to develop a spinoff of the popular horror franchise. Rock has written a story that is being developed by Saw alumnus Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg. Original Saw creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell are returning to produce. In addition to writing duties, Rock will also executive produce the project, which is slated for release on October 23, 2020.
Lionsgate’s chairman Joe Drake praised Rock’s vision for the film and commented on the unlikely collaboration:
“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. 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.”
Rock too shared his own thoughts on the chance to work within 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.”
As unique as the idea of a comedian working on a popular horror IP sounds, it isn’t exactly unprecedented. You might recall that Danny McBride and filmmaker David Gordon Green, who are best known for the comedy films, teamed up with John Carpenter and Blumhouse for 2018’s Halloween, which relaunched the long-tenured slasher series in a big way.
The Saw franchise originally spanned six years and seven films, plus an attempted relaunch in 2017 simply titled Jigsaw. In total, the franchise has grossed over $976 million at the worldwide box office with Saw 3D being the most expensive to produce with a price tag of $20 million. With returns like that, it’s easy to see why Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures are still interested in keeping these films alive.
What do you make of Chris Rock writing the next Saw movie? Does it interest you in revisiting the series? Or are you burnt out after a decade-plus of annual entries? Sound off in the comments below and let me know your thoughts!
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