Ragesh Dipu
Chris Rock teams up with Lionsgate to reboot the ‘Saw‘ horror franchise. According to THR, Rock, who is best known for his stand-up and Saturday Night Live episodes, eyes to expand the cult horror franchise with a spin-off feature. Producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules also join the project. Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group chairman Joe Drake confirmed the revival plan on Thursday. The untitled flick is slated for an October 23, 2020 release.
“I’ve been a fan of ‘Saw’ since the first film in 2004,” Rock is quoted as saying by Variety. “I am excited by the opportunity to take this to a really intense and twisted new place,” added the comedian.
‘Saw‘ franchise revolves around John Kramer, who is also known as the ‘Jigsaw Killer’ or just ‘Jigsaw,’ his victims and followers. Kramer traps people in manipulated situations that test their resilience. Tobin Bell has immortalized the Jigsaw in all eight ‘Saw’ movies. The movies are released between 2004 and 2017. The first movie also launched the career of filmmaker James Wan and earned Lionsgate a good chunk of profit. The low-budget titles are among the most profitable movies ever made by grossing nearly $1 billion globally. Mark Burg, Oren Koules and Gregg Hoffman produced all the ‘Saw’ movies.
The upcoming movie is reportedly based on a story idea conceived by Rock and developed by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg. Darren Lynn Bousman, who is known for directing three of the eight ‘Saw’ flicks (II, III and IV) is back as director.
“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,” said Joe Drake. “‘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.”
“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,” said Burg and Koules.
The movie is executive produced by Rock, Daniel Heffner and the original creators of ‘Saw,’ James Wan and Leigh Whannell.
Rock, who has four Emmys and three Grammys to his credit, will next be seen in Sally Potter’s ‘Molly.’ The other upcoming projects of the writer-comedian include Netflix’s ‘Dolemite Is My Name!‘ and ‘Fargo Season 4.’ Rock is also popular for ‘Lethal Weapon 4,’ the ‘Madagascar’ franchise and ‘Top Five.’
