Chris Rock & Darren Lynn Bousman rebooting Saw franchise

May 16th 2019, 10:00am

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Chairman of Lionsgate, Joe Drake announced today that Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures will be partnering with award-winning actor, director, and stand up comedian Chris Rock (yes, THAT Chris Rock) to spin-off and expand the world surrounding the SAW franchise. The new film will be released in October 2020 and this re-imagining will be directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, who helmed three of the most successful films in the franchise.

Rock said:

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.

Drake said:

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.

The film will be produced by longtime SAW producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules who said:

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.

Bousman will direct the new flick from a screenplay is based on a story conceived by Chris Rock and written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg. It will be executive produced by Chris Rock, long-time executive producer Daniel Heffner and the original creators James Wan, and Leigh Whannell.

The new film will be released on October 23, 2020.