It is official: Saw will play again.
Lionsgate and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have announced that Wrong Turn and Silent Night, Deadly Night filmmaker Mike P. Nelson will direct the franchise’s next installment.
The film, the eleventh in the franchise, marks the first since the billion-dollar series returned to its architect, James Wan, in June of last year. Wan will serve as a producer under Blumhouse Atomic Monster.
Gregory Weidman and Geoff Tock (Below, Dune: Prophecy) wrote the new film, with Wan, Jason Blum, and the franchise’s original co-writer, Leigh Whannell, set to produce. Mark Burg, Oren Koules, Stacey Testro, Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Alayna Glasthal, and Sarah Paek will serve as executive producers, overseeing the project for Atomic Monster.
Wan directed the original film, which he co-wrote with Whannell and which debuted at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. The film generated enough buzz that Lionsgate acquired worldwide distribution rights before its premiere. Though critics were mixed, the positive audience reaction prompted the studio to pivot from a planned direct-to-video release to a wide theatrical run. That original film went on to gross more than $100 million worldwide and effectively kickstarted one of the most profitable horror franchises ever.
While no casting, shooting, or release details have been announced, the mere fact that there is a script—and now a director—should give fans plenty to be excited about. Now only one question remains: Will Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw be involved? It’s hard to imagine a Saw film without him.
