Tobin Bell will return as the John Kramer, Jigsaw, as Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures begin production on Saw 10 later this month. Saw is a psychological horror franchise revolving around the mysterious Jigsaw Killer who utilizes a series of gruesome games where individuals must inflict pain on themselves or others in order to survive. The first film premiered in 2004 and shocked critics and audiences alike with its extreme body horror and unflinching depiction of human desperation. Saw was horror icon, James Wan’s feature directorial debut, he would then go on to create The Conjuring and Insidious franchises. There have been six sequels to the main franchise with 2010’s Saw: The Final Chapter closing out the major events of the series and two spin-off titles Jigsaw and Spiral focusing on crimes inspired by the titular killer.
Saw’s Jigsaw is one of horror’s most iconic movie villains in no small part due to Bell’s uniquely dark and introspective performance. John Kramer is a retired civil engineer dying from an inoperable brain tumor that developed as a result of his colon cancer. After making an attempt on his own life, John Kramer gets a new appreciation for life and develops a twisted method for providing others with the same change in perspective. He creates elaborate games based on the perceived moral failing of his victims in order to teach them a lesson about taking life for granted. Jigsaw ultimately met his demise at the end of Saw 3, while appearing in flashbacks in the subsequent films.
Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures have officially confirmed that Bell will return to play Jigsaw in the latest installment of Saw set to release next year. Bell will be returning after not appearing in the previous spin-off film Spiral, the only film where the titular character does not show in any form. Franchise regular Kevin Greutert, who edited Saw I through V and Jigsaw in addition to directing Saw VI and Saw: The Final Chapter will direct Saw 10. Series producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules expressed excitement at Bell’s return, indicating that his iconic character will have an active role in the latest film.
What the Original Jigsaw’s Return Could Mean
John Kramer is a compelling horror movie character because in spite of his monstrous actions, there’s a deeply human and tragic motivation behind them. By his own twisted logic, Jigsaw never commits a murder and his victims are to blame when their selfish or impulsive actions cost them their lives. Rather than the typical killing spree often seen in slasher films, Jigsaw has a method behind his madness which often only becomes apparent once a victim succumbs to his traps. His return to the franchise in a more active role is welcome news to long-time fans of the series who understand that his character is essential to the film’s impact and messaging.
What made the original Saw film so powerful was not the over-the-top gore, better exemplified by later installments in the series, but the mystery and darkness surrounding the Jigsaw killer. Bell’s grand return to the franchise should excite fans who have been eager for a proper Saw sequel for over a decade. Saw 10 will have plenty of new horrific traps and games to play as the film begins production later this month and is slated for release on October 27, 2023.
