A billion-dollar horror franchise is returning to its roots, with a familiar face set to guide its next chapter. The Saw movies, a cornerstone of the modern horror landscape, have found a new home with Blumhouse Productions, signaling an exciting evolution for a series that has captivated audiences since its inception in 2004.
The original Saw, directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, launched a formidable franchise, raking in over $1.147 billion worldwide with its unique blend of psychological thrills and gruesome traps. This series holds a special place in horror lore, effectively redefining the genre and paving the way for a slew of remakes and legacies in its wake.
Saw Has Been Purchased By Blumhouse – And Returns To James Wan
Wan Has A Longstanding Relationship With The Production Company
The latest installment, Saw X, released in 2023, was a return to form, grossing an impressive $125.3 million against its modest $13 million budget. Yet, even with this success, the production company Twisted Pictures has shifted gears, announcing the sale of its stake in the franchise. Despite this, Lionsgate remains the distributor, ensuring the series maintains its established presence in theaters.
With Blumhouse now officially acquiring Twisted Pictures’ share, the Saw franchise returns to the care of its original creators. James Wan, who hasn’t directed since the initial film, declared his excitement, stating, “This will mark a significant creative return to the Saw franchise.” Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm about collaborating with Wan and Whannell once again.
James Wan: Saw holds a special place in my heartâ€â€it’s where Leigh and I began our Hollywood journey. Coming back to this world with a fresh perspective is both thrilling and deeply personal. For me, this will mark a significant creative return to the Saw franchise for the first time since the early days, and I’m very much looking forward to embracing the original spirit whilst pushing the legacy forward in bold, unexpected ways.
Jason Blum: The Saw franchise has defined a generation of horror, and its cultural impact continues to grow, making this a strategic investment in one of the most recognizable and successful genre properties of the last two decades. But what really excites me about bringing Saw to Blumhouse is having James and Leigh back in the fold and to see the future of the franchise come to life with their guidance.
Our Take On Blumhouse Acquiring Saw
Wan And Whannell’s Involvement Is Key
Blumhouse has a patchy track record when it comes to nurturing horror franchises not initially crafted by them. While their recent Halloween trilogy enjoyed box office success, the 2023 The Exorcist: Believer was met with disappointment, leading to a rethinking of their planned trilogy. However, if both Wan and Whannell play pivotal roles in the future of Saw, it could spell a return to form, steering the franchise clear of previous pitfalls.
As fans eagerly await what lies ahead for their beloved horror icon, the anticipation grows. The return of its original creators, combined with Blumhouse’s unique infrastructure, could bring forth a new era for Saw, reinvigorating the genre and perhaps setting a blueprint for future legacy sequels in horror history.