There are more than a few horror franchises out there who have attempted to sell audiences on "The Final Chapter," a sequel seemingly set up to bring the franchise to a close, however, more often than not, that final chapter is anything but. For a while it seemed as though the SAW franchise really did come to an end with SAW 3D, aka SAW: THE FINAL CHAPTER, but seven years later, the Jigsaw killer is back.
Directed by Peter and Michael Spierig (DAYBREAKERS), the upcoming JIGSAW will pick up a "decade after the original reign of terror overseen by Tobin Bell’s titular homicidal maniac." The pair spoke with Entertainment Weekly to tease the SAW sequel, saying that bodies begin turning up which are linked to Jigsaw, or a Jigsaw copycat. Peter Spierig wouldn't confirm whether Tobin Bell will actually make an appearance in JIGSAW (he's not listed in the official credits), only saying that his DNA is "all over this film." EW also debuted the first look at the film, depicting Laura Vandervoort (Supergirl) possibly caught in some form of trap.
Speaking of traps, Michael and Peter Spierig confirm that there will be "some pretty wild traps" in JIGSAW and that they won't "shy away from the gore." That said, Michael Spierig added that the upcoming film may not be quite as vicious as past sequels, but that it will be more fun.
It’s such a perfect Halloween scarefest. It’s perhaps not quite as vicious and more fun, which is something we tried to inject into it. But it’s still full of good fun gore, that’s for sure. And, on top of that, it’s got a really great mystery, and there’s very interesting twists. It’s Saw for 2017.
I haven't revisited the SAW franchise since the release of the last sequel, but I recall always being able to enjoy them for what they were. The story-lines did grow needlessly convoluted as the series progressed, so perhaps a fresh slate will get the franchise back on track and we will once more get to look forward to, or dread, depending on your point of view, a new SAW sequel each October.
JIGSAW will spin into theaters on October 27, 2017.