Latest news with #OrenKoules
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Saw XI Update: Horror Franchise Finds New Home, James Wan To Help Guide Its Future
After Saw XI was unceremoniously removed from Lionsgate's 2025 release date calendar, the rights to the horror franchise have found a new home. Saw XI was originally scheduled to arrive in United States theaters on September 26, 2025. Earlier this year, however, reports began to emerge about fights between the film's producers and Lionsgate. The film was taken off the 2025 release calendar this past March, with The Strangers: Chapter 2 taking its place. Per Variety, the rights to Saw have now been acquired by Blumhouse. This includes all future Saw movies, shows, and 'other properties.' 'The company paid an undisclosed amount for the part of the franchise currently owned by producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg,' Variety's article notes. 'In statements, Koules said it felt like 'the right time to pass the baton,' while Burg said he wanted to 'move on and tell new stories.'' Whether this means that Blumhouse will continue developing Saw XI in its current form (the movie had not started filming yet before losing its release date), start from scratch, or reboot the series entirely is not yet clear. Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum did say, however, that James Wan and Leigh Whannell will both be brought 'back in the fold' as they help determine Saw's future. The 2004 Saw movie was directed by Wan, while Whannell wrote the scripts for the first three films. 'Saw holds a special place in my heart,' Wan said in a statement. 'Coming back to this world with a fresh perspective is both thrilling and deeply personal. For me, this will mark a significant creative return to the 'Saw' franchise for the first time since the early days, and I'm very much looking forward to embracing the original spirit whilst pushing the legacy forward in bold, unexpected ways.' The post Saw XI Update: Horror Franchise Finds New Home, James Wan To Help Guide Its Future appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Saw' Franchise Rights Acquired by Blumhouse, Reuniting James Wan with Horror Series
The biggest name in horror now has the rights to one of the most successful horror franchises ever. Blumhouse has acquired the prospective rights to 'Saw,' meaning the opportunity to bring Jigsaw back to life with new 'Saw' films is back in the hands of Atomic Monster and James Wan, who directed the original 'Saw' film from 2004. More from IndieWire '28 Years Later' Review: A Tender, Thoughtful, and Strangely Moving Sequel to One of the Scariest Zombie Movies Ever How 'Materialists' Finds True Love in New York City The controlling stake in the 'Saw' franchise was owned by producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg, who, after 20 years, are handing over the reins to Wan and Blumhouse's Jason Blum, whose Blumhouse merged with Atomic Monster back in 2024. Leigh Whannell, who co-created and wrote the original 'Saw,' is also in the Blumhouse universe and has directed both 'The Invisible Man' and 'Wolf Man' for the horror banner. Koules and Burg are moving on after the recent passing of executive producer Jason Constantine, who died earlier this month. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Lionsgate, which has distributed the 'Saw' franchise for years, has always had a 50-50 stake in 'Saw,' and its rights won't change. Lionsgate will continue to be a partner in the property and will also distribute new 'Saw' films domestically, and it will work with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster on the international release strategy for the films. Content Partners has also acquired a stake in the existing library, and Burg has retained a share in the franchise. The 10 'Saw' films, including the most recent film from 2023, 'Saw X,' have grossed $1.1 billion at the global box office and is the fifth most successful horror franchise ever. Atomic Monster was already responsible for the most lucrative franchise, The Conjuring Universe, and Blumhouse also has 'Paranormal Activity,' 'Halloween,' and 'Insidious.' 'With the success of the 10th film, this felt like the right time to pass the baton. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built with Lionsgate over the past 20 years and deeply grateful to the fans who've been with us since the beginning,' Koules said. 'It's especially meaningful to see the franchise return to its original creators, James and Leigh, and I can't think of a better partner than Jason to lead 'Saw' into its next chapter. On a personal note, I know the late Gregg Hoffman, my original partner on this journey, would be so happy with this ending,' 'Twenty-one years ago, we met James Wan and Leigh Whannell and financed the first 'Saw' movie. The film was magical, and a hit beyond our wildest dreams, and our fans kept the franchise alive for over 20 years,' Burg said. 'It's been an amazing ride and, with the recent passing of our beloved executive producer, Jason Constantine, it's time for me to move on and tell new stories. 'Saw' will always be a part of my history and Hollywood history, and I hope Jigsaw and the Saw Universe live on for many more movies and years to come. Lastly, I'd like to thank all the amazing actors, crew, and Lionsgate executives who have worked with us on 10 movies over the past 20 years — none of this could have happened without you all. We wish James, Leigh and Jason huge success with the continuation of the franchise.' The 'Saw' franchise follows the actions of serial killer Jigsaw, embodied by the disturbing-looking Billy the Puppet ventriloquist dummy, who puts his victims through dangerous and torturous games to survive. Actor Tobin Bell has voiced Jigsaw in all 10 films. When Blumhouse and Atomic Monster first began their merger, they did so with the expensive acquisition of 'The Exorcist' franchise, which the brands hoped to revitalize in the way they did with John Carpenter's 'Halloween,' bringing back the original stars and tying the story back into the canon of the first film from director William Friedkin. Those plans were scrapped, and director David Gordon Green exited additional planned sequels after 'The Exorcist: Believer' flopped at the box office. Director Mike Flanagan, however, is stepping in and plans to release a new film in the series early next year. ''Saw' holds a special place in my heart — it's where Leigh and I began our Hollywood journey. Coming back to this world with a fresh perspective is both thrilling and deeply personal,' Wan said. 'For me, this will mark a significant creative return to the 'Saw' franchise for the first time since the early days, and I'm very much looking forward to embracing the original spirit whilst pushing the legacy forward in bold, unexpected ways.' 'The 'Saw' franchise has defined a generation of horror, and its cultural impact continues to grow, making this a strategic investment in one of the most recognizable and successful genre properties of the last two decades,' Blum said in a statement. 'But what really excites me about bringing 'Saw' to Blumhouse is having James and Leigh back in the fold and to see the future of the franchise come to life with their guidance.' 'Over the course of 10 chilling and thrilling 'Saw' films, Oren and Mark have been outstanding partners, producers, and stewards of this billion-dollar franchise, which has played a massive role in Lionsgate history. As they pass the baton to James — whose direction started it all — and to Jason and the team at Blumhouse, Billy couldn't be in more gifted or twisted hands. Game on,' Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in a statement. Jason Blum recently spoke with press about the state of horror and its future slate of films, which includes a string of sequels in other burgeoning horror franchises for the brand, including 'The Black Phone 2,' 'M3GAN 2.0,' 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2,' and a follow-up to the Octavia Spencer horror film 'Ma.' CAA Evolution served as sole financial advisor on the transaction. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
Los Angeles Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Blumhouse acquires 50% stake in ‘Saw' franchise
Horror production company Blumhouse has acquired a 50% stake in the long-running 'Saw' franchise, buying the rights owned by producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg, the firm said Wednesday. Santa Monica-based Lionsgate will continue to own 50% of the franchise, retain all domestic distribution rights for new feature films and still distribute worldwide for the library films. Los Angeles-based investment firm Content Partners has also acquired a stake in the library as part of the transaction, alongside Burg's retained share, Blumhouse said. Financial details were not disclosed. Blumhouse will take the lead on international distribution for new feature films and will discuss global release strategies with Lionsgate on a film-by-film basis. Blumhouse Chief Executive Jason Blum described the deal in a statement as 'a strategic investment in one of the most recognizable and successful genre properties of the last two decades.' The 10-film franchise began in 2004 and has grossed more than a billion dollars in worldwide box office revenue. 'The Saw franchise has defined a generation of horror, and its cultural impact continues to grow,' he said. With this deal, the franchise returns to filmmaker James Wan, who directed the first 'Saw' film. Wan's production company, Atomic Monster, merged with Blumhouse last year. 'Over the course of ten chilling and thrilling 'Saw' films, Oren and Mark have been outstanding partners, producers and stewards of this billion-dollar franchise,' Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in a statement. 'As they pass the baton to James — whose direction started it all — and to Jason and the team at Blumhouse, Billy couldn't be in more gifted or twisted hands. Game on.' The deal was the brainchild of Lionsgate Chief Executive Jon Feltheimer and Blum, according to a person familiar with the matter not authorized to comment. The original 'Saw' from 2004 was part of a wave of particularly gruesome horror movies that came to be derisively described as 'torture porn.' Other examples included Eli Roth's 'Hostel.' Horror franchise revivals have proved to be lucrative endeavors as of late, with hits including New Line's 'Final Destination Bloodlines.' The horror genre has been one of the most reliable at drawing fans to theaters in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent 'Saw' film, 2023's 'Saw X,' grossed $53.6 million domestically and $58.6 million internationally for a global haul of $112.2 million, according to Box Office Mojo. 'With the success of the tenth film, this felt like the right time to pass the baton,' Koules said in a statement. 'I'm incredibly proud of what we've built with Lionsgate over the past 20 years and deeply grateful to the fans who've been with us since the beginning.' Burg cited the recent death of Lionsgate film executive and executive producer Jason Constantine as part of his decision to move on, saying in a statement that it was time to 'tell new stories.'
