It’s officiallyBlumhouse’s time to play a game. News broke earlier this month thatthe production giant was set to acquire the rightsto the long-runningSawfranchise from Twisted Pictures, ensuring a future for the films and their many inventive traps. Today, that deal is now finalized withJason Blum’s banner reaching an agreement to purchase an ownership stake after negotiating withOren KoulesandMark Burg’s production company since last year. Terms haven’t been made public yet, butLionsgateis also set to keep its slice of the bloody pie, remaining on board as a distributor as it has since the first installment in 2004.
In addition to Blumhouse and Lionsgate, Content Partners, the parent company of Revolution Studios, has also purchased a stake in the existing library ofSawmovies. The confirmed involvement of Blumhouse, however, is a massive development for the future of Jigsaw and company. A report from Bloody Disgusting back in Marchseemed to spell game overfor the popular horror franchise when it revealed infighting among producers stemming back to 2024stoppedSaw XIdead in its tracks. With things finalized,James Wanwill now be reunited with his creation, with his Atomic Monster banner now under the Blumhouse fold. It’s too early to say anything about a new movie, but the likelihood of a follow-up to the open-ended conclusion ofSaw Xis a lot higher than it was just a few short months back.
“TheSawfranchise hasdefined 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," Blum said in an official statement about the deal. “But what really excites me about bringingSawto Blumhouseis having James and Leigh [Whannell] back in the fold and to see the future of the franchise come to life with their guidance.” The prospect ofWan and Whannelltaking a more direct creative role for the first time since their 2004 classic should be exciting for longtime fans. Although they conceived ofthe billion-dollar torture-filled franchiseand have remained on as executive producers since then, the pair has only ever directly crafted the original together. Wan sounded eager about the possibilities, adding in his own statement, “For me, this will mark a significant creative return to theSawfranchise 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.”
The Blumhouse Deal Marks the End of an Era for ‘Saw’
While the deal with Blumhouse points to a brighter future forSaw, it’s also bittersweet for longtime producers Koules and Burg. Under Twisted Pictures, the pair producedevery film in theSawfranchise to date, including 2021’s spin-off filmSpiralstarringChris Rock. They showed belief in Wan and Whannell’s vision by bankrolling the low-budget franchise debut starring Whannell,Cary Elwes, andTobin Bellthat eventually becameone of the most profitable horror films ever made. They’ve seen both the gory highs and lows of the franchise as they’ve worked with a stable of directors over the years, most recently includingSaw X’sKevin Greutert. Yet, Koules was happy to see the series pass back into the hands of its creators, as well as one ofmodern horror’s greatest stewardsbehind everything fromInsidioustoM3GAN,Get Out, and more.
In his statement, Burg recalled the moment he and Koules met Wan and Whannell and explained the decision to pass the baton to Blumhouse:
“Twenty-one years ago we met James Wan and Leigh Whannell and financed the firstSawmovie. The film was magical, and a hit beyond our wildest dreams, and our fans kept the franchise alive for over 20 years. It’s been an amazing ride and, with the recent passing of our beloved executive producer, Jason Constantine, it’s time for me to move on and tell new stories.Sawwill always be a part of my history and Hollywood history, and I hope Jigsaw and the Saw Universe live on for many more movies and years to come."
Stay tuned here at Collider for more on the future ofSawfollowing Blumhouse’s acquisition.
