Chris Rock’s “Saw” reboot will slash into theaters five months earlier, with Lionsgate announcing Monday a May 15, 2020 release in the height of the summer season.
The film, starring Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, had previously been set for release on October 23, 2020. It will now face off against Warner Bros.’ animated reboot “Scooby.”
Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures are releasing the re-imagined take on the franchise about a serial killer named Jigsaw who traps his victims in a labyrinth of games, puzzles and traps as the helpless victims fight for their survival.
Darren Lynn Bousman, who directed three of the “Saw” installments,” will direct. Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg wrote the screenplay.
In the new film, Rock will play a police detective investigating a series of grizzly crimes, and Samuel L. Jackson will play Rock’s father. Minghella will play William Schenk, Rock’s partner on the police force, and Nichols will play Capt. Angie Garza, Rock’s boss.
Rock is executive producing the new “Saw,” and the story is in part based on his love of the franchise. Longtime franchise producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules will return for the new installment.
Daniel Heffner and the original creators of “Saw,” James Wan and Leigh Whannell, are executive producing with Rock.