New ‘SAW’ Film “Not a Reboot”, Screenwriter Says

When it was first reported that Chris Rock would be providing the story for Lionsgate’s upcoming Saw film, the project was described using the words “reboot” and “re-imagining”. Now Josh Stolberg, one of the movie’s screenwriters, has taken to Twitter to emphasize that the new film is “not a reboot”.  Stolberg has indicated in several Tweets that the new installment will exist within the continuity set forth in the previous eight Saw films.

What does this mean exactly? Well, in typical Saw fashion, more answers lead to more questions. Where will the new film fall with respect to the timeline? Will we see any returning characters, be they in “real time” or in flashbacks? Perhaps still most importantly, will Tobin Bell reprise his role as John/Jigsaw? According to the “Trivia” section of the film’s IMDb page, Bell is “expected” to return but as of this writing you will not find any real plot details.

Filming on the new Saw began earlier this week in Toronto with Saw II–IV director Darren Lynn Bousman. It was also revealed this week that Chris Rock will be appearing in the film as a police detective, accompanied by Samuel L. Jackson who will play Rock’s father. Other additions to the cast, as reported by Bloody Disgusting, include Max Minghella and Marisol Nichols in the roles of Rock’s partner and captain respectively.

With production officially underway, perhaps some clues will start to drop in the coming weeks with regard to plot, additional casting, and maybe even a peak at some of the new traps. Stay tuned for updates, and keep your eyes peeled…

The latest entry in the Saw franchise is expected to hit theaters on October 23, 2020.