Blumhouse Revives Saw Franchise with James Wan and Leigh Whannell's Exciting Return

Image courtesy of Billy the Puppet's Linkedin

Big news in the world of horror: Blumhouse has officially acquired the prospective rights to the Saw franchise, the iconic saga that redefined horror for a generation, from longtime producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg. Lionsgate will remain a partner in the property, keeping a seat at the spiked table. In this deal, Content Partners also acquired a stake in the existing Saw library alongside Mark Burg’s retained share, while Lionsgate keeps its existing ownership and continues distribution. For those who love industry intrigue, it’s a veritable chessboard of power moves.

The real headline here is that the franchise is returning to its roots. James Wan, who directed the very first Saw, returns under the Atomic Monster label, which merged with Blumhouse in 2024. Wan’s creative partner Leigh Whannell, who co-wrote the original film, is also back for this next chapter, making this a horror homecoming for the ages. Blumhouse and Atomic Monster are already responsible for five of the ten highest-grossing horror franchises of all time, so the Saw legacy is in very good hands. Don’t forget: the ten Saw films have grossed more than a billion dollars at the global box office. That’s a lot of tricycles and reverse bear traps.

Oren Koules explained that with the success of the tenth film, it felt like the right time to pass the baton. He shared how proud he is of what they’ve built with Lionsgate over the past 20 years and how meaningful it is to see the franchise return to its original creators. Mark Burg reflected on meeting James Wan and Leigh Whannell 21 years ago and financing the first Saw movie, describing it as magical and a hit beyond their wildest dreams. He added that with the recent passing of executive producer Jason Constantine, it’s time for him to move on and tell new stories, but hopes Jigsaw and the Saw Universe live on for many more movies and years to come.

James Wan, CEO and founder of Atomic Monster, said Saw holds a special place in his heart as it’s where his Hollywood journey with Leigh began. He said coming back to this world with a fresh perspective is both thrilling and deeply personal, and he’s looking forward to embracing the original spirit while pushing the legacy forward in bold, unexpected ways. Blumhouse CEO and founder Jason Blum described the Saw franchise as a strategic investment in one of the most recognizable and successful genre properties of the last two decades. He’s especially excited to have James and Leigh back and to see the future of the franchise come to life with their guidance.

Adam Fogelson, Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, praised Oren and Mark as outstanding partners, producers, and stewards of this billion-dollar franchise. As they pass the baton to James, whose direction started it all, and to Jason and the team at Blumhouse, he said Billy couldn’t be in more gifted or twisted hands. CAA Evolution served as sole financial advisor on the deal.

In a move only fitting for the Saw universe, the announcement was punctuated by the most unexpected new hire in horror: Billy the Puppet himself launched a LinkedIn account. To mark the occasion, Billy posted a vintage photo of James Wan and Leigh Whannell from 20 years ago, complete with the wry caption, “love re-connecting with old colleagues.” You can check out Billy’s very professional, and slightly unsettling, networking debut here.

So what’s next for Saw? With James Wan and Leigh Whannell back in the creative torture chamber and Blumhouse at the controls, expect the next chapter to be just as twisted, terrifying, and iconic as ever. Stay tuned, horror fans—the game is far from over.