Blumhouse May Acquire ‘Saw’ Franchise to Revive Horror Series

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation as one of the most chilling modern horror franchises, the gruesome “Saw” universe born by James Wan and Leigh Whannell in the early 2000s, is rumored to be under new management. According to recent whispers, the esteemed genre studio, Blumhouse, known for its spine-tingling productions, might be acquiring a significant stake in this bloodcurdling saga. The deal, if confirmed, would grant Jason Blum’s production company half the rights to the “Saw” franchise, potentially opening doors for more nerve-wracking sequels in the future.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, it appears that Jigsaw’s chilling saga of justice through gruesome ingenuity is far from concluded, if Deadline’s latest scoop, The Dish, is to be believed. Twisted Pictures, the horror-centric studio owned by Mark Burg and Oren Koules (with late Gregg Hoffman, a key figure in ‘s success), seems to have relinquished its grip on this iconic franchise. Established as a horror-focused division of Evolution Entertainment when the original rewrote the rules of the horror genre back in 2004, Twisted Pictures’ most lucrative intellectual property was undeniably linked to the “torture porn” label.

Half of the rights for the Saw franchise will stay with Lionsgate, yet Blumhouse’s acquisition presents a possible revival for the series that had been declining following the 2023 release of Saw X. This film was a significant hit, earning more than $125 million at the box office and receiving positive reviews from both critics and audiences. Its Rotten Tomatoes rating stands at 81%, while its audience score is even higher, reaching 88%.

It was only natural for a follow-up to come next. The character John Kramer, or Jigsaw, had proven resilient and persistent, even against cancer. Writers found creative ways to keep him alive in the sequels, often with other villains carrying out his mission. The Saw films continued to be financially successful as a result. Given these factors, it didn’t take long for the production of Saw XI to be approved after the release of the tenth film. A social media post at that time confirmed that the next sequel would premiere on September 27, 2024.

Initially, everything seemed on track for the release of Saw XI. Directed by Kevin Greutert, who had previously worked on Saw X, and written by franchise veterans Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, it was scheduled to hit theaters. However, unexpectedly, the film’s launch date was pushed back to September 2025. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only setback for the production; a reliable source close to the project reported that Saw XI had essentially been canceled.

Are There Any More Stories to Tell in the ‘Saw’ Universe?

Some critics argue that the “Saw” cinematic universe has reached its end, and shouldn’t be revisited. However, the allure of the horror series remains undeniable. Audiences will continue to flock to theaters to watch powerless characters battle seemingly insurmountable odds. The revival of the franchise with “Final Destination: Bloodlines” serves as evidence of this enduring appeal.

On the other hand, the Saw series might have become somewhat repetitive as it progressed, and some later instalments may have seemed lackluster. To revitalize the franchise, a significant creative overhaul could be necessary, and Jason Blum could potentially lead this change. Although his work on The Exorcist was not successful, he did manage to breathe new life into Halloween. Maybe it’s time to let go of John Kramer and build the horror franchise around a new ruthless antagonist who shares a similar powerful motive.

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2025-06-05 14:33