Chris Rock to reboot Saw franchise

The comedian will refresh the franchise and its villain Jigsaw, who traps victims in situations that demand the greatest of sacrifices to survive

(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Chris Rock will spearhead a new Saw film.

According to Variety, the comedian will collaborate with film studio Lionsgate to offer a fresh interpretation of the franchise and its villain Jigsaw, who traps victims in situations that demand the greatest of sacrifices to survive.

“I’ve been a fan of Saw since the first film in 2004,” Rock said. “I am excited by the opportunity to take this to a really intense and twisted new place.” The franchise has so far grossed nearly $1bn worldwide for Lionsgate.

Mark Burg and Oren Koules, who produced the original franchise, will again serve as producers, with Darren Lynn Bousman, behind Saw II, Saw III, and Saw IV, on board as director. The screenplay is based on a story conceived by Rock, but will be written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg.

​“Chris wants to put his own spin on the Saw franchise in the way Eddie Murphy put a completely fresh perspective on buddy-cop films with 48 Hours,” said Burg and Koules. “This new Saw is going to be an event film in the making for horror fans.”

“It will have all of the twists and turns and hardcore layers that our fans expect directed by one of the masters of the craft, Darren Lynn Bousman. We can’t wait to get started.”

The film be will be released in cinemas on 23 October 2020.