In surprising news, it has been announced that actor, director, and comedian Chris Rock is teaming up with Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate to spin-off and expand the world surrounding the hit billion-dollar ‘Saw’ franchise, with release pencilled in for October 2020.
“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, Chairman of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group. “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.”
“I’ve been a fan of Saw since the first film in 2004,” said Rock. “I am excited by the opportunity to take this to a really intense and twisted new place.”
The film will be produced by long-time ‘Saw’ producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules – who are back once again to shepherd this re-imagining, which will be directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, who helmed three of the most successful films in the Saw 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,” said Burg and Koules in a statement. “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.”
Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg are on board to pen the script based on a story conceived by Rock. Long-time ‘Saw’ executive producer Daniel Heffner and the original creators of the franchise, James Wan and Leigh Whannell will produce alongside Rock.