This is per THR, which reports that the major horror brand is looking to scoop up a share in the Saw movies from Twisted Pictures, the studio that was formed way back when to produce the original Saw, and which has had a stake in each film made in the franchise since. (Lionsgate co-owns the series, and will reportedly stay on as a partner if Blumhouse executes the sale.) Blumhouse has reportedly been pursuing the purchase since last year, but talks fell apart over conversations about price; now, though, it sounds like the increasingly dominant horror brand is back at the table, and getting close to closing.
Interestingly, this is, if you squint, another story about creator-owned film properties in a Hollywood that’s gotten increasingly interested in the concept: Blumhouse merged last year with Atomic Monster, the production company run by James Wan, who directed and co-wrote the original Saw movie with Leigh Whannell. (And whose further, massive success in the horror field was very obviously kickstarted by the success of Saw, one of the best “how much it cost to make” vs. “how much people paid to see it” films of all time.) Although Blumhouse and Atomic Monster still operate independently of each other, this deal still means Wan would actually own part of the franchise that’s been foundational to his meteoric career. (It’s not quite the same as Ryan Coogler making eventual ownership of Sinners part of his deal to direct that movie, since Wan has been heavily involved for years as a film producer—and Atomic Monster owns its own portfolio of properties—but it’s still interesting to note.) Of course, film studios don’t spend millions of dollars on movie brands out of nostalgia and nice feelings; if Blumhouse goes through with the purchase, we can presumably expect to see some new Saw movies or shows cropping up again some time very soon. (Which, when you think about it, means now is the perfect time to buy even more creepy puppets on tricycles. The market’s certain to improve!)
