Credit: Lionsgate
Earlier today, Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures announced that Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II and Saw III) is back to helm the next installment of the “Saw” franchise, the most successful horror series in history.
Production offices opened last Monday, February 12, in Toronto to begin pre-production on Saw IV. Twisted Pictures’ Burg and Koules are again producing, and executive producers Daniel Jason Heffner, James Wan, Leigh Whannell, and Stacey Testro also return.
Key contributors of the first three films returning include editor Kevin Greutert, director of photography David Armstrong and production designer David Hackl. Saw IV is slated to begin shooting April 16 for six weeks and will be released domestically and internationally October 26, 2007.
About making a fourth installment, Burg and Koules of Twisted Pictures remarked, “It’s great to have the ‘Saw’ creative team back together for ‘Saw IV.’ We’re looking forward to working with Darren, Lionsgate and all the Twisted minds to bring horror fans more of Jigsaw’s gore and games.”
Added Bousman, “It’s not often that a filmmaker is given the opportunity to follow a genuinely compelling character through two films, much less three. So I’m very excited about picking up the reins on ‘Saw IV,’ and delving even deeper into the Jigsaw legend.”
With a worldwide box office of over $400 million, the “Saw” series is the most successful horror franchise of all time. Saw III was the year’s top-grossing horror film, taking in over $80 million domestically and over $100 internationally.
