Saw was one of those movie franchises that took over everything. Starting humbly in 2004, Leigh Whannell and James Wan unwittingly unleashed a horror monster into cinemas with each film culminating in more and more box office takings than it’s predecessor. For many, myself and my mother included, going to the cinema to see the latest Saw film became a Halloween tradition. Sadly that tradition ended after the seventh (and first 3D) Saw film made its way onto the big screen.
Since then there have been many devoted fans who have held out hope that they may once again get to witness a new and devious Jigsaw trap; after all, no film or franchise is truly dead these days. Horror films especially are forever being exhumed. Just look at Michael, Freddy and Jason; they’ve all been around the block more than once. From what THN have been hearing from those involved in the original films it seems that those fans might just get their wish.
We interviewed Leigh Whannell for his directorial debut Insidious 3 a little while ago and he felt that now was a reasonable time to revisit the series, as did actor Costas Mandylor whose character Hoffman appeared in five of the seven Saw films when we spoke to him last month. Mandylor stated that given his characters living status, he’d definitely return were the script to be right.
Darren Lynn Bousman at London Film and Comic Con Photo Credit: Kat Smith
So far we’ve had one of the main characters and one of the original writers, and now it seems that we may have a willing director. Darren Lynn Bousman directed Saw II, III and IV, which were some of the more violent and sickening entries in the series – needle pit anyone? We chatted with Bousman during this weekend’s London Film and Comic Con (who needs San Diego?) where he is appearing as a guest, and he admitted that he would love another shot at the franchise and misses that old Halloween release tradition.
[quote_box_center]Yes I would. After doing Saw IV I swore I’d never go back, but I think distance puts things into perspective. It was just a great camaraderie, so yeah I would go back if they made another one. It [the series] was a tradition and it was awesome to be a part of that tradition, an annual Halloween tradition. Yeah I’d absolutely go back.[/quote_box_center]
Coming in to direct the sequel to Saw was no easy feat. The first film was a sleeper hit which took many by surprise, especially with that ending. Fans were always eagerly anticipating where the story would/could go next.
[quote_box_center]It was unnerving because I’d never directed anything before. There was a lot of pressure because Saw had made this huge impact and it was scary as a first time director coming in. Everyone was so nice, it was like a family. I did three of them and it literally was this family, we all knew each other, we became very good friends, it was amazing. [/quote_box_center]
We’ll keep asking those involved, as and when we meet them, about their interest in a future Saw revival. We’ll keep you posted; maybe a THN Kickstarter campaign is in order, who’s in?
Secret_007_
Mar 10, 2016 at 8:45 am
So glad to read that Leigh Whannel, Costas Mandylor and Darren Lynn Bousman are interested in the SAW movie franchise returning. Now all we need is Lionsgate to get the ball rolling and a screenplay being written. I am sure Costas Mandylor would return if the story was just right for “Hoffman” to be alive.
By the way, Tobin Bell will be on NBC Days Of Our Lives soap opera beginning Friday, March 11, 2016 for 5 episodes.