Well, it worked for Jordan Peele… Surprising news dropped today that the seemingly never-ending Saw series, which had 50 billion entries at last count, is set to come back from the dead. Again. What’s more shocking, however, is who’s spearheading the new flick — none other than comedy legend Chris Rock.
According to Variety, Rock is working with Lionsgate on a brand-new Saw spinoff. The funnyman is ecstatic about their collaboration, noting:
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
Horror hero and director of Saw II and Saw III, Darren Lynn Bousman, will be helming the movie, which is based on a story by Rock, who is also executive producing. The screenplay was written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg, who scripted 2017’s rather lively reboot, Jigsaw. Series creators James Wan and Leigh Whanell are involved, too, acting as exec-producers on the project.
Although Rock might seem like an odd choice, fellow comedian Jordan Peele, of legendary comedic duo Key and Peele, memorably transitioned into horror with the brilliant Get Out and its equally terrific follow-up, Us. Rock’s comedy has always had an edge, so horror may be a perfect fit for him.
Joe Drake, chairman of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, certainly seems to think so:
When Chris Rock came to us and described in chilling detail his fantastic vision that re-imagines and spins off the world of the notorious Jigsaw Killer, we were all-in
Drake also assured fans of the franchise that this will still be a Saw film no matter what:
[It] 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
Saw has been a massive moneymaker for Lionsgate, grossing close to $1 billion worldwide. The original movie, Wan’s directorial debut, cost just $1.2 million to make and grossed a whopping $103 million worldwide. Jigsaw, the most recent installment, earned $100 million off an approx. budget of $10 million.
Tobin Bell has portrayed the infamous Jigsaw Killer in all eight movies, but there’s no word yet on whether he’ll return for this reboot. The as yet untitled flick is due to hit theaters on October 23, 2020.
Stay tuned to Wicked Horror for more info on the intriguingly-led project as it becomes available.
