“Saw X” marks the 10th film in the horror-torture franchise. For most franchises that usually means its time for a reboot. Film franchises “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” have all done it, poor Leatherface has done it at least three times. Yet “Saw” has remained in the same continuity, no matter where they are in the timeline. If “Saw” ever does a reboot, the big question is who would play Jigsaw?
“Saw X” director Kevin Greutert was recently asked about Tobin Bell‘s role ever being recast. “It seems unlikely,” Greutert said. Greutert has directed three of the “Saw” films, and edited six (including the upcoming “Saw X“). He did hint at one potential prospect to fill Bell’s shoes, another iconic horror character.
“You know, Mads Mikkelsen (‘Hannibal‘) took over from Anthony Hopkins and, you know, we’d need somebody on that level.” Both Bell and Mikkelsen have played such evocative horror roles, that the two performances are considered on par, says a lot.
Bell fully supports the idea of someone else taking on Jigsaw in the future. When asked a similar question like Greutert, Bell had this to day: “John Kramer is a King Lear-like character. He’s huge, his world is very large. If the writing is amazing, he’s a character that any actor would be thrilled to have an opportunity to occupy.”
“Saw X” is a Prequel
This may be the 10th film in the franchise, but that does not mean it is set after the events of all the others. Especially not after 2017’s “Jigsaw” and 2021’s “Spiral: From the Book of Saw.” This new installment is actually set a few weeks after the events of “Saw” and well before “Saw II.”
While Bell’s Jigsaw may have officially died on screen in “Saw III,” he was able to return in the following six films. This was achieved through clever mechanics and flashbacks. Even “Spiral” used a picture of Bell as Jigsaw, confirming its placement in the larger franchise, without featuring the character in a major way.
Bell is joined by Synnøve Macody Lund (Ragnarok), Steven Brand (The Sandman), Michael Beach (S.W.A.T.), Renata Vaca, Paulette Hernande, Joshua Okamoto, and Octavio Hinojosa. Shawnee Smith will also be reprising her role as Jigsaw follower, Amanda Young. Smith appeared in the first three films alongside Bell.
“John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most disturbing installment of the “Saw” franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game…a sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer – only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, the infamous serial killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged, and ingenious traps.”
“Saw X” is scheduled for release on September 29th, 2023.
