Earlier this morning, we caught word that Samuel L. Jackson would be co-starring with Chris Rock in the upcoming SAW reboot/spin-off/reimagining (it's getting referred to as all sorts of things) that we'll just call SAW IX for now. A new press release has now officially confirmed that Rock and Jackson are starring in the film, and it also confirms a couple more cast members while revealing some character details.
Rock, who came up with the story for this film and is also executive producing it, is playing
a police detective investigating a series of grizzly crimes.
Jackson is playing the father of Rock's character. The other two confirmed cast members are Max Minghella (HORNS) as Rock's partner William Schenk and Marisol Nichols (SCREAM 2) as Rock's boss, Captain Angie Garza.
Described as "a SAW experience", the film has SAW II / III / IV director Darren Lynn Bousman at the helm. JIGSAW's Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg wrote the screenplay, based on Rock's concept. Lionsgate chairman Joe Drake has said that Rock came with them with a
fantastic vision that reimagines and spins off the world of the notorious Jigsaw Killer … 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."
Drake also commented on the casting announcement:
We think Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Rock along with Max Minghella and Marisol Nichols make this film completely special in the Saw canon and we can’t wait to unleash this unexpected and sinister new story on fans of this franchise. This is next level of Saw on full tilt."
The new SAW film is being produced by Mark Burg and Oren Koules. Daniel Heffner, James Wan, and Leigh Whannell are serving as executive producers with Rock.
Production began today, and Bousman shared an image of a slate from the set. The press release notes that this movie is still untitled, so don't expect the title on the slate, THE ORGAN DONOR, to be on theatre marquees when it's released on October 23, 2020.