The SAW 3 trailer will premeire with The Descent so be sure to go see it !
WOOT!
Friday, July 07, 2006
"An Update"
Posted on HOJ by darren bousman:
Hey guys - I thought I would drop in and say hello! I am sitting here in the edit room working on the last five minutes of the film! Even I get chills when I see it! Being a horror fan - I really think you guys will dig this! Scary, and intense - and yes for you gore hounds - there is blood!
Wanted to give everyone an update - my bloggs should be starting up again within the week - so check there for more updates.
Also if any of you are in California area, myself and Leigh will be at Comic-Con this year! Stop by, say hello!
Alright back to the film October 27th is right around the corner!
And to quote Jigsaw in Saw 3... "Suffering... You haven't seen anything yet!"
dlb
Hey guys - I thought I would drop in and say hello! I am sitting here in the edit room working on the last five minutes of the film! Even I get chills when I see it! Being a horror fan - I really think you guys will dig this! Scary, and intense - and yes for you gore hounds - there is blood!
Wanted to give everyone an update - my bloggs should be starting up again within the week - so check there for more updates.
Also if any of you are in California area, myself and Leigh will be at Comic-Con this year! Stop by, say hello!
Alright back to the film October 27th is right around the corner!
And to quote Jigsaw in Saw 3... "Suffering... You haven't seen anything yet!"
dlb
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Darren Bousman on SAW III
SOURCE: http://fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=6368
June 26: SAW III wraps; director talks
It’s a solid stand-alone installment that’s also for the fans; it’s pretty damn ballsy, even for year already caked in blood; and it’s guaranteed to give the MPAA some grief. These are just a few things Fango has already heard about SAW III, the anticipated sequel due in theaters October 27 from Lionsgate, and who better to confirm it all than its director Darren Lynn Bousman (pictured on the set of his previous SAW II), who dropped Fango a line with a progress report.
Having taken a much-needed extended weekend before entering the editing suite for the first time today, Bousman speaks highly of the third entry’s 30-day shoot in Canada. “I’m so surprised by how quickly everything came together for this and how smoothly it went,” Bousman says elatedly. “I learned a lot of mistakes from SAW II, and part three is definitely not a copy of the first two films. It’s very, very different.”
Actors Bahar (CRASH) Soomekh and Angus (EQUILIBRIUM) Macfadyen find themselves cast as Jigsaw’s latest victims. The former plays a doctor who must keep the ailing killer (encoring Tobin Bell) alive just long enough to see Macfadyen’s Jeff get out of one of Jigsaw’s fiendish and thought-provoking games. Dina Meyer and Shawnee Smith also make their return to the series which has already grossed over $200 million in worldwide theatrical ticket sales.
“Fans don’t realize how much say they have in this franchise,” says Bousman, sounding rather like a carnival barker luring ticket buyers into his refurbished haunted attraction. “This movie is for them. Last year’s film was a balls-to-the-wall gorefest and it didn’t have too many scares. I believe SAW III has a lot more of what made both previous movies good—we took the best elements of each and combined them. It’s got a lot more scares in it and has so many Easter eggs for the fans to discover. For those who really know the franchise well, they’re going to be blown away by some of the things we did this year.”
As for the gore quotient, Bousman insists on skirting the intricate details, yet he is optimistic that what will make the final cut will be weighted by a healthy dose of realism. “We’ll see what remains. All I can say is SAW III is the real deal and it’s not f’in around. I don’t get disgusted easily; I think the time that happened with a movie was when I watched CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST. There’s one scene in that movie that made me squeamish—and there were about four separate occasions on the [SAW III] shoot that made me want to throw up.” —Ryan Rotten
June 26: SAW III wraps; director talks
It’s a solid stand-alone installment that’s also for the fans; it’s pretty damn ballsy, even for year already caked in blood; and it’s guaranteed to give the MPAA some grief. These are just a few things Fango has already heard about SAW III, the anticipated sequel due in theaters October 27 from Lionsgate, and who better to confirm it all than its director Darren Lynn Bousman (pictured on the set of his previous SAW II), who dropped Fango a line with a progress report.
Having taken a much-needed extended weekend before entering the editing suite for the first time today, Bousman speaks highly of the third entry’s 30-day shoot in Canada. “I’m so surprised by how quickly everything came together for this and how smoothly it went,” Bousman says elatedly. “I learned a lot of mistakes from SAW II, and part three is definitely not a copy of the first two films. It’s very, very different.”
Actors Bahar (CRASH) Soomekh and Angus (EQUILIBRIUM) Macfadyen find themselves cast as Jigsaw’s latest victims. The former plays a doctor who must keep the ailing killer (encoring Tobin Bell) alive just long enough to see Macfadyen’s Jeff get out of one of Jigsaw’s fiendish and thought-provoking games. Dina Meyer and Shawnee Smith also make their return to the series which has already grossed over $200 million in worldwide theatrical ticket sales.
“Fans don’t realize how much say they have in this franchise,” says Bousman, sounding rather like a carnival barker luring ticket buyers into his refurbished haunted attraction. “This movie is for them. Last year’s film was a balls-to-the-wall gorefest and it didn’t have too many scares. I believe SAW III has a lot more of what made both previous movies good—we took the best elements of each and combined them. It’s got a lot more scares in it and has so many Easter eggs for the fans to discover. For those who really know the franchise well, they’re going to be blown away by some of the things we did this year.”
As for the gore quotient, Bousman insists on skirting the intricate details, yet he is optimistic that what will make the final cut will be weighted by a healthy dose of realism. “We’ll see what remains. All I can say is SAW III is the real deal and it’s not f’in around. I don’t get disgusted easily; I think the time that happened with a movie was when I watched CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST. There’s one scene in that movie that made me squeamish—and there were about four separate occasions on the [SAW III] shoot that made me want to throw up.” —Ryan Rotten
Monday, June 12, 2006
Official SAW III Production Blog
http://www.officialsaw.com/blog/default.asp
I can't believe I never posted this ! It brings you posts from the set of SAW III by Darren Bousman, Shawnee Smith, and more!
Check it out!
I can't believe I never posted this ! It brings you posts from the set of SAW III by Darren Bousman, Shawnee Smith, and more!
Check it out!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
First SAW III Trap Revealed!
TORONTO - It takes a while to puzzle through what it is we're looking at, here on the Toronto set of the low-budget, high-concept gore-fest Saw III.
Deep in the latest warren of deathtraps conceived by murderous mastermind Jigsaw, behind a door painted with the words "here's your chance," the device standing in front of us looks like a crucifix fashioned out of steel beams, clamps, cables, motors and gears. There's blood (or the special effects version thereof) pooled around the base of it, and a few chunks of disturbingly lifelike ersatz flesh.
Arms get strapped in here, feet get wedged in there, head goes inside this clamp contraption. But what are the gears for? When this thing is powered up, won't the gears just rotate the clamps in place and make the victim's ... oh. Okay. Got it.
You know the famous scene in The Exorcist, where Linda Blair's head spins a full 360 degrees? Imagine a contraption that does that to you without the benefit of satanic possession. And to your arms and legs, too, twisting them in their sockets until flesh, muscle and bone rip and snap like wet tree bark.
Jigsaw, you're a sick, sick man. But that's why moviegoers love you so.
Saw III, which wraps shooting this month at Toronto's Cinespace Film Studios, is a homecoming of sorts for the monstrously successful horror franchise.
"We shot Saw II here in Toronto, in the same studio, same crew. So by now it's like family," said Leigh Whannell, co-creator of the Saw franchise with fellow Australian filmmaker James Wan.
"It's another day at the office, breaking people's limbs off, body parts flying everywhere," Whannell said last week during an interview on set. "It's good times."
The affable Aussie's demeanor belies the unspeakable stuff going on a dozen metres away. Literally unspeakable - access to the set is strictly controlled, and no one's talking about the film's array of deathtraps and plot twists, for fear of spoiling the fun when the film hits theatres this Halloween.
Other than the clampy contraption, all we are shown are the sets for Jigsaw's creepy, mannequin-festooned lair and a decrepit meat packing facility (complete with disemboweled hogs hung from hooks) where much of the film takes place.
Then we're hurried off the set, though we can hear director Darren Lynn Bousman call "action!", followed by the high-pitched whine of a drill. And screaming. That can't be good.
This much we know about Saw III: The terminally ill Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) is determined to play one more sick game with a new group of victims. With the help of his protege (Shawnee Smith), Jigsaw has kidnapped a beautiful young doctor (Bahar Soomekh) to keep him alive while he leads a grieving father (Angus Macfadyen) into a new den of horrors.
The hero's peril is much more than physical, though. Jigsaw's chosen victims are the people responsible for death of Macfadyen's character's son. He can choose to help them escape Jigsaw's devious deathtraps, or sit by and watch them die slowly and very, very painfully.
The grisly shoot is taking an emotional toll on Macfadyen. "When you're doing these things, you think, 'Jesus, these things actually happen for real, there are people who do the most awful things to other people,' " he said.
"And you go, 'How can you do that? How does someone take someone's head and shove it into a bathtub full of feces and drown them in it?' I just don't get it."
Fans don't seem to care. The first two Saw movies were made on a combined budget of about $6 million US, and took in more than $130 million at the box office, plus tens of millions more on DVD. Bousman, who also helmed the last film, has high hopes for number three.
"I would say the most tame parts of Saw III are (equal to) the most extreme parts of Saw II," he said.
"It's going to be interesting to see if we get away with half the things we're shooting right now. I'm even offended looking at what I'm shooting at the moment."Source
Sunday, June 04, 2006
SAW III Synopsis
Jigsaw has disappeared.
With his new apprentice Amanda (Shawnee Smith), the puppet-master behind the cruel, intricate games that have terrified a community and baffled police has once again eluded capture and vanished. While city detectives scramble to locate him, Doctor Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh) is unaware that she is about to become the latest pawn on his vicious chessboard.
One night, after finishing a shift at her hospital, Lynn is kidnapped and taken to an abandoned warehouse where she meets Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), bedridden and on the verge of death. She is told that she must keep the madman alive for as long as it takes Jeff (Angus Macfayden), another of his victims, to complete a game of his own. Racing against the ticking clock of Jigsaw's own heartbeat, Lynn and Jeff struggle to make it through each of their vicious tests, unaware that he has a much bigger plan for both of them...
With his new apprentice Amanda (Shawnee Smith), the puppet-master behind the cruel, intricate games that have terrified a community and baffled police has once again eluded capture and vanished. While city detectives scramble to locate him, Doctor Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh) is unaware that she is about to become the latest pawn on his vicious chessboard.
One night, after finishing a shift at her hospital, Lynn is kidnapped and taken to an abandoned warehouse where she meets Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), bedridden and on the verge of death. She is told that she must keep the madman alive for as long as it takes Jeff (Angus Macfayden), another of his victims, to complete a game of his own. Racing against the ticking clock of Jigsaw's own heartbeat, Lynn and Jeff struggle to make it through each of their vicious tests, unaware that he has a much bigger plan for both of them...
Sunday, May 07, 2006
"Brace Yourself" a new post from Darren Bousman on HOJ
Friends! It has been a LONG WHILE since we last spoke. But - WE'RE BAAAAAACK!!!! That's right in about a week we start shooting SAW III. Please trust me when I tell you - this one is not for the squeamish! Forget all of these horror films that claim to be gory and scary - SAW III is the REAL DEAL - we have a TON of violence, gore, a few surprises and oh yes, TRAPS!!!!
I have to tell you all I just got back from the special effects house who will be building all of the body parts and gore for the film. I nearly vomited. Some of the macabre things we have in store for you will make SAW II look like a children’s film!
There is so much I want to tell you - but where is the fun in that? I think I will make you wait!
In the meantime - stay tuned!
Click on the button on the sidebar if you want to go to the HOJ fourms!
I have to tell you all I just got back from the special effects house who will be building all of the body parts and gore for the film. I nearly vomited. Some of the macabre things we have in store for you will make SAW II look like a children’s film!
There is so much I want to tell you - but where is the fun in that? I think I will make you wait!
In the meantime - stay tuned!
Click on the button on the sidebar if you want to go to the HOJ fourms!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
SAW III Site up!
Yes the saw III site is up here.
Bloody Disguisiting wrote up a article that also includes who's starring in it.....
God bless Lionsgate and their development team. You'd think that how fast they pump out their movies they'd be half-assed crapola-- only they're not. Last year Lionsgate release Darren Lynn Bousman's Saw II almost exactly one year after James Wan and Leigh Whannel's Saw became an instant box office hit. Now here we are six months later already prepping for the release of Saw III, which hits theaters October 27th, 2006. Today the official website was launched, which carries a nice teaser logo and a forum to start talking all things Saw. Yesterday we broke the news (here) that Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Bahar Soomekh, Angus Macfadyen and Dina Meyer will star. Watch this spot for more news as it comes in. 'Saw III' is currently in pre-production in Toronto, Canada- shooting begins Monday.
Bloody Disguisiting wrote up a article that also includes who's starring in it.....
God bless Lionsgate and their development team. You'd think that how fast they pump out their movies they'd be half-assed crapola-- only they're not. Last year Lionsgate release Darren Lynn Bousman's Saw II almost exactly one year after James Wan and Leigh Whannel's Saw became an instant box office hit. Now here we are six months later already prepping for the release of Saw III, which hits theaters October 27th, 2006. Today the official website was launched, which carries a nice teaser logo and a forum to start talking all things Saw. Yesterday we broke the news (here) that Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Bahar Soomekh, Angus Macfadyen and Dina Meyer will star. Watch this spot for more news as it comes in. 'Saw III' is currently in pre-production in Toronto, Canada- shooting begins Monday.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Casting Information for SAW III
After the huge success of Saw II, it was announced a few months back that Darren Lynn Bousman will return to direct Lionsgate's Saw III. It was also revealed that co-creator Leigh Whannell will be returning to script the film for the third time, and that stars Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith would be returning to the extremely popular franchise. As the film is aiming to hit theaters October 27th, 2006, we're still awaiting to hear what the film will be about... but until then we've got some exclusive casting news for you inside! Read on and enjoy. More news as it comes in...
We were informed this morning from an anonymous scooper that TV veteran Angus Macfadyen (Redline) will star as a new character in the Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II) directed SAW III, which is currently being written by Leigh Whannell.
In addition, the insanely gorgeous Bahar Soomekh (Crash, Mission: Impossible III) will also be joining the cast alongside Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith.
We contacted Darren Bousman to confirm the scoop and to our surprise we got a quick little quote from him and Whannell, who are hard at work on the script. "It's the most f-cked up of Jigsaw's games... and the most psychologically intense," they tell Bloody-Disgusting.
Watch for an official announcement in the coming weeks.
from bloody disguisting
We were informed this morning from an anonymous scooper that TV veteran Angus Macfadyen (Redline) will star as a new character in the Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II) directed SAW III, which is currently being written by Leigh Whannell.
In addition, the insanely gorgeous Bahar Soomekh (Crash, Mission: Impossible III) will also be joining the cast alongside Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith.
We contacted Darren Bousman to confirm the scoop and to our surprise we got a quick little quote from him and Whannell, who are hard at work on the script. "It's the most f-cked up of Jigsaw's games... and the most psychologically intense," they tell Bloody-Disgusting.
Watch for an official announcement in the coming weeks.
from bloody disguisting
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
E! interviews Shawnee Smith
If you think having a new Saw movie come out every year is intense, imagine being one of the actors. These guys get tortured on an annual basis. On top of that, they don't even get to read the script. With one month to go before shooting Saw III, Shawnee Smith has no idea what's in store for her.
"I'm still waiting to read a script," she complains. "How can I prepare as an actress with no script?"
Expect Smith's role to grow, too. She has gone from one scene in Saw to becoming the baddie Jigsaw's right-hand chick in Saw II. With Jigsaw in the last throes of cancer, she's going to have to start kicking ass on her own.
"I don't know how you top the first one, but from what I hear, they've done it again," she tells us. "I don't want to jinx anything, so we'll see what happens." Yes, we will.
from here
"I'm still waiting to read a script," she complains. "How can I prepare as an actress with no script?"
Expect Smith's role to grow, too. She has gone from one scene in Saw to becoming the baddie Jigsaw's right-hand chick in Saw II. With Jigsaw in the last throes of cancer, she's going to have to start kicking ass on her own.
"I don't know how you top the first one, but from what I hear, they've done it again," she tells us. "I don't want to jinx anything, so we'll see what happens." Yes, we will.
from here
Monday, April 24, 2006
SAW Stuff
Yes....Im back.....SAW III is in production and Master P WAS confirmed for it.
In other news I thought I might bring this up:
SAW III Teaser with See no Evil:
Definitely Possible......But dont expect it.
ONLINESAW.COM
This is suppose to be an "OFFICIAL" fan site for SAW........if anyone who is pulling the string is reading this.....PLEASE CONTACT ME!!! I want to take part in the official saw fan site =D
In other news I thought I might bring this up:
SAW III Teaser with See no Evil:
Definitely Possible......But dont expect it.
ONLINESAW.COM
This is suppose to be an "OFFICIAL" fan site for SAW........if anyone who is pulling the string is reading this.....PLEASE CONTACT ME!!! I want to take part in the official saw fan site =D
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
SAW III Teaser Poster
from Latino Review
I love this, even though its just the teaser poster. The people at HOJ seem to disagee. They think that its not minalmal and dumb I have two things to say to that:
1. It's the TEASER poster.
2. It style. lol. but seriously its minamalistic and nice and gets the point across.....SAW III is coming.
Heres the HOJ post.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Update on Darrens Blog
Direct Link to Post
Ok... So I actually lived out a horror film yesterday... I had a flight out of LA at 9:22 to Toronto... I had a car picking me up at 6:00am.... Lets cut to 7:30 that morning and I roll of my couch... I passed out watching LOST episodes I Tivoed and forgot to set an ALARM... So I FREAK quickly grab my bags - and my two pets and FLY out the door...
7:35 - I am curbside and as luck would have it the driver is still out there patiently waiting... He calmly exits the car and says "Late night sir..." to which I respond "Pretend your James Bond driving in a high speed chase and get me to LAX"
7:36 - HIGH SPEED DRIVING BEGINS - twisting and turning through North Hollywood...
7:37 - GRIDLOCK TRAFFIC... We aint moving...
So now there is no way in hell we are getting from Studio City to LAX by 9:22 let alone the one hour prior I need for check in... I fall back against the seat exasperated and sigh... The driver tilts his mirror a little to get a good look at me...
"You okay" he asks...
I respond "Afraid I missed my flight"
He smiles and goes - I used to be in the military and I am never late... and with that my man went into hyper drive taking back streets, dirt roads and gravel paths...
8:45 arrive at LAX (keep in mind my flight leaves at 9:22) I bolt from the car after hugging the driver who has now become my best friend (side note - if I ever plan a heist he will be my driver) and rush to the terminal...
8:46 MASSIVE LINE - I panic... Not making my flight... not making my flight... not making my flight... THEN A VOICE... the voice of angel??? no not an angel... I know this voice... THE DRIVER????
"MY MAN HAS A FLIGHT TO MAKE - MY MAN HAS A FLIGHT TO MAKE make room people... and with that the driver pushes his way through the crowd, and SOMEHOW gets me to the front of the line...
8:48 TICKET COUNTER... I show my passport - the ticket lady looks at her watch - "Sir that flight is already boarding..." she sees the pain in my eyes... then turns to see the "don't fuck with me" look in the drivers eyes... "Ok... we have to hurry... Put we have a small problem..."
"What problem" I ask...
"It's to cold to board your dog in CARGO..."
Now people - You have all met my dog CHANCE in a previous blogg... Now meet my cat ZOE...
Don't let the picture fool you... She is an angry bitter cat who sometimes I believe is plotting my death...
So in one hand I have my cat... in the other my dog...
"Well sir, all I can offer is that you take one pet on as a carry on item and have the other sent to you at a later time..." the ticket lady says.
So I stand - at a crossroads... which child do I pick... The cute puppy who is still just a baby??? Or the cat who will kill in my sleep if I anger her in any way?
8:50 - My heart breaks as I make my choice...
8:51 - I hand the other pet to the driver who is to bring it to Evolution to deal with sending it to me...
9:00 - Bags are checked...
9:10 - Make it through security...
9:15 - Make it on the plane...
So... which animal did I choose????
So yes, Darren is back in toronto getting the pre-production of SAW III started.
P.S.: Fans of SAW! Send in your questions and more to sawtheblog@gmail.com and have them answerd on the site! So far I only have ONE email and I know this site gets more then ONE hit a day (I know that as a fact :P)
Ok... So I actually lived out a horror film yesterday... I had a flight out of LA at 9:22 to Toronto... I had a car picking me up at 6:00am.... Lets cut to 7:30 that morning and I roll of my couch... I passed out watching LOST episodes I Tivoed and forgot to set an ALARM... So I FREAK quickly grab my bags - and my two pets and FLY out the door...
7:35 - I am curbside and as luck would have it the driver is still out there patiently waiting... He calmly exits the car and says "Late night sir..." to which I respond "Pretend your James Bond driving in a high speed chase and get me to LAX"
7:36 - HIGH SPEED DRIVING BEGINS - twisting and turning through North Hollywood...
7:37 - GRIDLOCK TRAFFIC... We aint moving...
So now there is no way in hell we are getting from Studio City to LAX by 9:22 let alone the one hour prior I need for check in... I fall back against the seat exasperated and sigh... The driver tilts his mirror a little to get a good look at me...
"You okay" he asks...
I respond "Afraid I missed my flight"
He smiles and goes - I used to be in the military and I am never late... and with that my man went into hyper drive taking back streets, dirt roads and gravel paths...
8:45 arrive at LAX (keep in mind my flight leaves at 9:22) I bolt from the car after hugging the driver who has now become my best friend (side note - if I ever plan a heist he will be my driver) and rush to the terminal...
8:46 MASSIVE LINE - I panic... Not making my flight... not making my flight... not making my flight... THEN A VOICE... the voice of angel??? no not an angel... I know this voice... THE DRIVER????
"MY MAN HAS A FLIGHT TO MAKE - MY MAN HAS A FLIGHT TO MAKE make room people... and with that the driver pushes his way through the crowd, and SOMEHOW gets me to the front of the line...
8:48 TICKET COUNTER... I show my passport - the ticket lady looks at her watch - "Sir that flight is already boarding..." she sees the pain in my eyes... then turns to see the "don't fuck with me" look in the drivers eyes... "Ok... we have to hurry... Put we have a small problem..."
"What problem" I ask...
"It's to cold to board your dog in CARGO..."
Now people - You have all met my dog CHANCE in a previous blogg... Now meet my cat ZOE...
Don't let the picture fool you... She is an angry bitter cat who sometimes I believe is plotting my death...
So in one hand I have my cat... in the other my dog...
"Well sir, all I can offer is that you take one pet on as a carry on item and have the other sent to you at a later time..." the ticket lady says.
So I stand - at a crossroads... which child do I pick... The cute puppy who is still just a baby??? Or the cat who will kill in my sleep if I anger her in any way?
8:50 - My heart breaks as I make my choice...
8:51 - I hand the other pet to the driver who is to bring it to Evolution to deal with sending it to me...
9:00 - Bags are checked...
9:10 - Make it through security...
9:15 - Make it on the plane...
So... which animal did I choose????
So yes, Darren is back in toronto getting the pre-production of SAW III started.
P.S.: Fans of SAW! Send in your questions and more to sawtheblog@gmail.com and have them answerd on the site! So far I only have ONE email and I know this site gets more then ONE hit a day (I know that as a fact :P)
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Darren Bousman, Leigh Whannel, and James Wan OFFCIALLY are reteaming up for SAW III
Original Creative Team Reunited For Next Film In Twisted And Lionsgate’s Saw Franchise; Film to be Dedicated to Late Twisted Pictures Principal And Saw Producer Gregg Hoffman
Saw Franchise Has Grossed Nearly $250 Million In Worldwide Box Office And Sold Nearly 10 Million DVD’s To Date For Lionsgate
SANTA MONICA, CA, and VANCOUVER, BC, March 2, 2006 – Lionsgate (NYSE and TSX: LGF), the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, and Twisted Pictures today announced plans to develop and produce Saw III, the next film in the psychologically intense and disturbing horror franchise, for an October 27, 2006 wide release. The film will be directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II), with story by Leigh Whannell and James Wan (Saw, Saw II) and screenplay by Whannell. (Note from Lee[Owner of SAW the Blog]: THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME) The Twisted Pictures team of Mark Burg and Oren Koules will return as producers with Whannell and Wan set to executive produce. The announcement was made by Peter Block, Lionsgate President of Acquisitions and Co-productions, Jason Constantine, Lionsgate Senior VP of Acquisitions, and the Twisted Pictures team of Mark Burg and Oren Koules.
Saw II set a Lionsgate record with a three-day opening weekend of $31.7 million last Halloween, becoming the widest release in Lionsgate history and achieving one of the best opening weekends ever for a horror sequel. With a domestic box office of over $87 million and more than $148 million in worldwide theatrical box office, Saw II easily eclipsed the $55 million domestic box office total of the original Saw. Saw and Saw II have grossed nearly $250 million in combined worldwide box office.
Saw II debuted as the #1 DVD in North America two weeks ago, becoming the fastest-selling theatrical DVD release in Lionsgate history with 3.9 million units sold in its first week alone. The movie was also released on VHS and UMD. The Saw franchise has sold nearly 10 million units to date for Lionsgate.
“Yes, there will be more blood,” said Block and Constantine. “Saw III will involve the same creative forces responsible for the tremendous success of Saw II. The Twisted team of Mark and Oren, along with Darren, James and Leigh, have all agreed to be prominently involved in Saw III. We are proud to be partnered with some of the most disturbing creative talents on the planet, and the Saw franchise will ensure that gore becomes every bit as much a Halloween staple as ghosts, goblins and candy corn.” Block noted that the film will be dedicated to Twisted Pictures principal and Saw producer Gregg Hoffman, who passed away in November 2005.
“We have been discussing story lines that extend the Saw franchise to new limits and beyond with Lionsgate for the past several months,” said Burg and Koules. “The most important element of any franchise is remaining true to the roots of its success. We believe that we are developing a script that is certain to please the Saw franchise’s core fans while adding fresh, terrifying and unimaginable new twists to the Saw saga. Jigsaw himself would be proud.”
Saw III joins an upcoming Lionsgate slate that includes Trent Cooper’s Larry The Cable Guy: Health Inspector (March 24), the inspirational Akeelah And The Bee, starring Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer (April 28), the provocative Sundance sensation Hard Candy (April), Lionsgate’s first entry in the Spanish-language feature film marketplace, La Mujer de mi Hermano, starring telenovela sensation Barbara Mori (April) and the horror film See No Evil, starring WWE superstar Kane (May 19).
Lionsgate is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is a valuable source of recurring revenue and a foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the globe.
Twisted Pictures is helmed by Mark Burg and Oren Koules. Saw, one of the most profitable films of 2004, was their first picture under the new label and was also distributed by Lionsgate. Twisted is currently in postproduction on Catacombs, the first film under the previously-announced nine-picture deal between Twisted and Lionsgate, and is in production on Silence for Universal Pictures.
www.lionsgate.com
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