Saw 10: Everything We Know About The Latest Sequel, Which May Or May Not Star Shawnee Smith

Many franchises have come and gone, but for some reason, "Saw" remains eternal. What started off as James Wan and Leigh Whannell's micro-budget film debut became a global phenomenon for its unique approach to horror. Unlike most other films in the "torture porn" subgenre that the first movie inadvertently created, part of what made "Saw" so special was its wild, confusing, yet oddly rich story involving the failures of the healthcare, police, and judicial systems. 

Oh, and yeah, maybe all the elaborate traps and kills also made the series memorable, I don't know.

The last entry in the series, "Spiral," took some risks that worked and others that didn't, which is pretty par for the course with the franchise. However, next year will see a return to the franchise's main storyline centering around the evil yet complex Jigsaw. Although many details, including the film's actual title, are still under wraps, we have just the right information you'll need to prepare yourselves for another game. 

Are you ready to begin?

The good news is that filming for "Saw 10" is currently underway. The bad news is that fans will still have to wait a while before they get to watch the tenth installment of this infamous franchise. The film is expected to arrive on October 27, 2023, once again making Halloween the season of "Saw." Seriously, why did they decide to release "Spiral" in May? A strange decision, but at least they're correcting that with this installment.

"Saw" is one of those franchises where the viewing experience is better with a crowd. After all, isn't it so much fun watching a torturous game play out with a rowdy audience? Thankfully, you'll be able to experience that once more in 2023 because "Saw 10" will arrive exclusively in theaters. Of course, it will eventually make its way onto video-on-demand and streaming, but let's be real — a theatrical release is the right way to experience this film.

Now here is where things get a bit tricky. Like the other films in the franchise, not much in terms of the plot has been revealed yet. This decision is probably to prevent any critical details from leaking beforehand, as the franchise is famous for its last-minute twists and reveals.

However, there is one thing about the story that is worth speculating over: the involvement of Tobin Bell. As you may recall, the actor popularized the role of John Kramer, also known as the original Jigsaw, all the way back in its first installment. However, the last time we actually saw him alive was in 2007's "Saw III," where he was killed by the abusive husband of the doctor he kidnapped. He did appear in subsequent movies, such as "Saw IV" and "Jigsaw," but only in flashbacks.

If Bell is being positioned as the star of "Saw 10," then it will likely be another prequel to the first film. After all, while the traps and games are a bit too far-fetched to be feasible in real life, there has never been any indication that the franchise's world has any supernatural or magical elements. Because of this, it's extremely unlikely that the film will be set in the present day after someone resurrects John or something. Or maybe it turns out that he had a long-lost twin brother named Josh, and he decides to take over the Jigsaw mantle. Perhaps this new John is actually a clone? So many possibilities!

Bell's return as Jigsaw is meant to be the film's big draw, but that doesn't mean he's the only character. Synnøve Macody Lund, Steven Brand, and Michael Beach were recently cast in the film in undisclosed roles. Even though we don't know who they'll be playing, they will likely be the unfortunate souls that get caught up in Jigsaw's nefarious games.

There is one critical cast member, however, that's been rumored to return, and that is Shawnee Smith. Like John, her character of Amanda was introduced in the first film, starting her journey as a survivor of the serial killer before becoming one of his apprentices. Her character arc is certainly a memorable one and is largely considered by fans to be a highlight of the franchise, which makes Deadline's recent report that she could be returning quite interesting. However, this is still very much a rumor for the time being — /Film reached out to Lionsgate for comment on the Smith rumor but has not received a response.

As for the crew, Kevin Greutert will direct his third film in the franchise, having previously directed "Saw VI" and "Saw: The Final Chapter" (a very ironic name). Fellow franchise favorites Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger penned the script. Filming is currently underway for a release on October 27, 2023.