According to Deadline, Blumhouse Productions is “acquiring the perspective rights to Twisted Pictures’ portion of the Saw franchise.” This acquisition signifies that Blumhouse is taking over the rights that were previously held by Twisted Pictures founders Mark Burg and Oren Koules. It’s important to note that Lionsgate, which continues to hold a 50% stake in the franchise, will remain a key partner in future projects, ensuring that the franchise retains its collaborative spirit and connection to its origins.
As of now, there are no new Saw films currently in development, but once this deal is finalized, fans can expect announcements regarding the future direction of the franchise. This is particularly exciting for those who have followed the Saw series since its inception, as the potential for fresh stories and innovative approaches to the iconic horror elements remains high. The anticipation surrounding the franchise’s next steps is palpable, and many are eager to see how Blumhouse will reinvigorate the series.
Interestingly, this strategic move would bring the Saw franchise closer to renowned filmmaker James Wan. The co-creator of Saw, Atomic Monster, officially merged with Blumhouse Productions last year, which opens up intriguing possibilities for the franchise’s future. However, it’s crucial to clarify that this merger does not guarantee his direct involvement in any upcoming projects, leaving fans curious about what role, if any, he might play in shaping the next chapter of Saw.
There have been reports indicating significant disagreements (to say the least) between Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate, which unfortunately resulted in the complete cancellation of the previously announced Saw XI. Given the critical and commercial success of Saw X, many believed that a sequel was a logical next step. Kevin Greutert was set to return as director, collaborating with writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan. However, in a surprising turn of events, the project abruptly halted, leaving many fans disappointed and questioning the future of the franchise.
Melton later expressed frustration, stating that they had not received any updates on the project since May 2024. “It’s stalled at a managerial level. It has nothing to do with the creative or anything else. There’s higher-level things at play,” he explained. “Saw XI may or may not be made, but we have a very timely story in it, and I hope it gets made just because of that. It taps into the same themes of Saw VI, where you’re a citizen, you feel angry and frustrated with something, you feel like you can’t do anything, and John Kramer’s going to do it. The reason it’s held up is just, there’s inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just can’t quite get on the same page.“
With this new agreement with Blumhouse, there is hope that the Saw franchise can regain its momentum and continue captivating audiences. However, it’s worth noting that I will miss the iconic Twisted Pictures production logo that typically graced the beginning of each film. That logo always set a foreboding tone and helped prepare viewers for the gruesome mayhem that awaited them in every thrilling installment.
