James Wan is about to shake up the Saw franchise in ways fans never expected – and this could change everything.
Horror Movie Update
Published moments ago
The future of James Wan's involvement with the Conjuring Universe hangs in the balance as negotiations with Warner Bros. remain uncertain. However, while that drama unfolds behind the scenes, there's exciting news brewing on another front: Wan is making a major comeback to the Saw franchise – a series he hasn't actively shaped creatively in nearly two decades.
For those who might not know the backstory, Wan originally launched the Saw phenomenon alongside screenwriter Leigh Whannell way back in 2004. Their collaboration created one of horror's most iconic franchises, but both creators stepped away after the third installment to pursue other projects. The franchise continued without them for years, churning out sequel after sequel under the guidance of Twisted Pictures producers.
But here's where it gets controversial...
When plans for Saw XI hit a major roadblock due to creative clashes between the original producers at Twisted Pictures, everything came to an abrupt standstill. That's when Blumhouse Productions saw an opportunity and made their move, acquiring the franchise rights entirely. And this is the part most people miss: because Blumhouse recently completed a merger with Wan's own production banner, Atomic Monster, they now have the perfect opportunity to bring both Wan and Whannell back into the creative fold.
In a candid conversation with Variety, Jason Blum – the mastermind behind Blumhouse – made it crystal clear that Wan won't just be lending his name to the project. According to Blum, Wan will be "hugely involved" in completely reimagining the franchise for a new era.
When pressed about his creative strategy for revitalizing Saw, Blum offered this refreshingly honest take: "Let's be real – producing ten films within a single franchise is an incredibly challenging feat, and I have nothing but respect for what the original producers accomplished. I'm genuinely thankful they've given us the opportunity to carry the torch forward. But my approach has always been consistent: bring back the original visionaries who created the magic in the first place and give them meaningful creative control. James Wan, who directed the very first film, will be deeply involved in every aspect. That's our blueprint for reinventing this franchise."
When Blumhouse initially announced they'd secured the Saw rights, Wan released a heartfelt statement that revealed just how much this return means to him personally: "Saw occupies an incredibly special place in my heart. Returning to this universe with a renewed creative perspective feels both exhilarating and profoundly meaningful on a personal level. This represents my first significant creative involvement with the Saw franchise since those early days, and I'm genuinely excited about honoring the original spirit that made it special while simultaneously propelling the legacy forward in daring, unexpected directions."
During that same Variety interview, Blum opened up about some of his other franchise pursuits – and his frustrations. He admitted he's currently on the losing end of a heated bidding war for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre rights, with A24 appearing poised to claim victory. He also revealed that both the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises represent his "white whales" – properties he desperately wants but hasn't been able to secure.
"We're constantly negotiating and making offers," Blum explained. "I make a serious attempt to acquire them practically every single day. I'll never abandon this pursuit. And if someone else manages to produce a new installment without me, I'll simply redirect my efforts toward securing the following one."
So here's the million-dollar question: Is bringing Wan back after all these years the right move, or has the franchise evolved beyond its original vision? Some fans argue that the later Saw films developed their own identity and fanbase, and that going back to the beginning might alienate longtime followers. Others believe only Wan can restore the psychological horror and clever storytelling that made the first film a masterpiece before the series became more focused on elaborate death traps.
What's your take on this major development? Are you thrilled that James Wan will be heavily involved in Blumhouse's reinvention of Saw, or do you think the franchise should have continued in the direction it was heading? And would you be excited to see Blumhouse take control of other iconic horror properties like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th, or A Nightmare on Elm Street? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – especially if you disagree with the direction this is taking. Let's get a real conversation going about whether nostalgia-driven reboots are what horror needs right now, or if we should be taking bigger risks with entirely new concepts.
