SANTA MONICA, Calif.,
May 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- Global content leader Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures will
bring fans worldwide a new level of deviously treacherous traps,
clever clues and suspense as they partner with award-winning actor,
director, and stand up comedian Chris
Rock to spin-off and expand the world surrounding the hit
billion dollar Saw franchise, it was announced today by
Joe Drake, Chairman of Lionsgate's
Motion Picture Group. The new film will be released on October 23, 2020.
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"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," said Drake. "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."
The film will be produced by longtime Saw producers
Mark Burg and Oren Koules - who are back once again to
shepherd this re-imagining, which will be directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, who helmed three of the
most successful films in the Saw franchise. The
screenplay is based on a story conceived by Chris Rock and written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh
Stolberg. The film will be executive produced by
Chris Rock, long-time Saw
executive producer Daniel Heffner
and the original creators of Saw, James Wan and Leigh
Whannell.
"I've been a fan of Saw since the first film in 2004,"
said Rock. "I am excited by the opportunity to take this to a
really intense and twisted new place."
"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," said Burg and
Koules.
Chris Rock is a Brooklyn-raised comedian who has won four Emmy
Awards and three Grammy Awards as a writer and stand-up. Rock can
next be seen in the upcoming Sally
Potter film, Molly and Netflix's Dolemite is My
Name! In the fall, Rock goes into production for season 4 of
FX's Emmy-winning drama series "Fargo." He made his feature film debut in
Beverly Hills Cop II in 1987. Additional film credits
include Boomerang, New Jack City, Lethal Weapon 4, Dogma, Nurse
Betty, Head of State (directorial debut), Down to
Earth (co-wrote), I Think I Love My Wife (wrote
& directed), The Longest Yard, the Madagascar films, Grown Ups, Death at a
Funeral, What to Expect When You're Expecting, Grown Ups 2, 2 Days
in New York, Top Five (wrote,
directed & starred in), and, of course, Pootie Tang,
among others. His television credits include "Saturday Night
Live," HBO's "The Chris Rock Show" and "Everybody Hates Chris,"
which he co-created and narrated. His Netflix special "Tamborine"
is currently streaming. He has created numerous specials during the
course of his career. Rock's first documentary, Good Hair,
won the 2009 Sundance "Special Jury Prize" and was named one of the
"Top Five Documentaries" in 2009 by the National Board of Review.
His critically acclaimed HBO stand-up specials include "Bring the
Pain," "Bigger & Blacker" "Never Scared" and "Kill the
Messenger". His debut book, "Rock This," appeared on The New York
Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades,
Lionsgate is a global content leader whose films, television
series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms
reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition
to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a
growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment,
video games, esports and other new entertainment
technologies. Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a
nearly 17,000-title film and television library and delivered
through a global sales and distribution infrastructure. The
Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and
ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the
evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's
worldwide consumer base.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Steve Elzer
steve@elzerassociates.com
213-607-3591
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