Chris Rock
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Chris Rock rebooting the ‘Saw‘ franchise is probably one of the least likely things I would expect to type outside of April Fools Day and yet here we are.

The famed comedian is flexing his writing chops and reveals:

“I’ve been a fan of Saw since the first film in 2004. I am excited by the opportunity to take this to a really intense and twisted new place.”

The movie is already in pre-production and has a release date slated for October 23rd, 2020.

This might seem like something destined to fail but Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures not only loved his pitch but the franchise’s creators James Wan and Leigh Whannel will be joining Daniel Heffner to executive produce the feature. Rock isn’t trying to work his way into the director’s chair as Darren Lynn Bousman (‘Saw II,’ ‘Repo! The Genetic Opera’) will be doing the heavy lifting while Mark Burg and Oren Koules are producing. Rock created the story with what sounds like an ongoing franchise idea and Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolherg wil be penning a script based on the idea.

According to Joe Drake, Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group chairman:

“When Chris Rock came to us and described in chilling detail his fantastic vision that reimagines and spins-off the world of the notorious Jigsaw Killer, we were all-in. Saw is one of the highest grossing horror franchises of all-time and it’s one of Lionsgate’s most successful film series. This upcoming film will still be as mind-bending and intense as all the previous Saw films. Chris conceived this idea, and it will be completely reverential to the legacy of the material while reinvigorating the brand with his wit, creative vision, and passion for this classic horror franchise.”

I’m curious if they’ll be able to find a director who works as well for the part as Tobin Bell did.

Producers Burg and Koules went on to say:

“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. 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.”

Reboots have been done to death at this point, and you can’t help but wonder if they should have maybe taken this idea and launched a new franchise with it instead. Still, we’ll see more as the film begins to come together over the next year.

Are you excited for a new take on the ‘Saw’ franchise? Would you have expected Chris Rock to be the one to bring it back to life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

Source: Comic Book