They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but after a seven year break in the franchise last year's JIGSAW, the eighth film in the SAW series, seemed to come and go without anyone caring too much… in the United States, anyway. JIGSAW made just $38 million at the domestic box office, the seventh lowest amount in the franchise's history. Only SAW VI made less money.
Internationally, it was a different story, with territories outside the U.S. adding another $64.8 million to JIGSAW's take, boosting it to a respectable total of $102.9 million. That's still the second lowest amount in SAW history, but when you take into account the fact that the film was made on a budget of $10 million, it's clear that it did very well.
Well enough that Lionsgate and SAW producers Twisted Pictures are now having conversations about a SAW 9, according to Bloody-Disgusting.
There's no information on what exactly these talks consist of, but it is known that JIGSAW directors Michael and Peter Spierig are not expected to return for the sequel.
Starring Matt Passmore, Callum Keith Rennie, Clé Bennett, Hannah Emily Anderson, Laura Vandervoort, Mandela Van Peebles, Paul Braunstein, Brittany Allen, and Josiah Black, JIGSAW was written by Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger. The story begins with
bodies turning up around the city, each having met a uniquely gruesome demise. As the investigation proceeds, evidence points to one man: John Kramer. But how can this be? The man known as Jigsaw has been dead for over a decade. Or has an apprentice picked up the mantle of Jigsaw, perhaps even someone inside the investigation?
I skipped seeing JIGSAW, just like I skipped seeing SAW VI and VII (I wish I had skipped seeing IV and V as well), so I can't say I care whether or not a SAW 9 gets made, but I know there are fans out there who would love to see this franchise keep going.