New Saw Film Hailed By Mike P. Nelson For Lionsgate & Blumhouse
It’s been confirmed that filmmaker Mike P. Nelson has been hired to direct the next installment in the Saw horror franchise with original creator James Wan producing under Lionsgate and Blumhouse Atomic Monster. This will follow 2023’s Saw X, which was directed by Kevin Greutert and saw Tobin Bell return to the big screen as iconic 2000s horror villain John ‘Jigsaw’ Kramer for the ninth time to unleash a sea of horrific and gruesome games on victims who have wronged him to make them appreciate life.
With the last installment grossing a worldwide total of $112.8 million and positive reviews from critics, a sequel to Saw X was announced in December 2023 and set for a release date of 27th September, 2024, with Greutert set to return to the director’s seat for what would be a direct sequel, even though the tenth film takes place between 2004’s Saw and 2005’s Saw II. However, the release date was soon pushed back by a whole year in April 2024, followed by reports that the film was put on hold as producers were having creative differences in March 2025.
Now, Blumhouse Atomic Monster has purchased a stake in the property, previously owned by Twisted Pictures, meaning the Saw film series now comes under Wan. Lionsgate, with Nelson ushering in a new era for the franchise.
“He has a singular vision for this film,” Adam Fogelson, film boss at Lionsgate, shared upon the news of Helson being hired as director. “We’re incredibly confident in what he’ll deliver.”
Wan will share production credits with Leigh Whannell, who co-wrote and starred in the first installment, as well as appearing in the 2003 short film the franchise is based on, with Gregory Weidman and Geoff Tock penning the script.
Read more horror content here
The first film kicks off the franchise’s love for non-linear storytelling, centring a main story on Kramer kidnapping and trapping a photographer and oncologist, played by Cary Ewles, in a large bathroom where they are chained to the pipes, with an additional plot involving police trying to solve the mysterious killer’s bizarre puzzle.
Saw went on to become one of horror’s most profitable releases, having grossed $104 million worldwide from a budget of $1 million-$1.2 million, and spawned six sequels between 2005 and 2010, a prequel in 2017 and a 2021 spin-off, as well as Saw X.
“Greg and Geoff and James have crafted such a wild script that brings the mystery of the original while exploring new insane bloody ideas that meld so well with the brutal moral compass of the franchise,” Nelson shared in his own statement. “Let the games begin!”
Meanwhile, the filmmaker has also taken on another horror project for Lionsgate, titled Beware Boiúna, set for a 2nd October release date. His previous credits include the 2021 remake of Wrong Turn and the 2025 remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
About the Author
You must be logged in to post a comment.