Tuesday, October 6

• Saw VI Writer Marcus Dunstan Talks Saw VII

  Saw VI's opening day is practically around the corner, yet pre-production on Saw VII has already begun. Co-screenwriter Marcus Dunstan gave ShockTillYouDrop an update on how the script is progressing.

  The second draft has been turned in for Saw VII 3D. Well, the nice thing about what [Saw VI director] Kevin [Greutert] did with Saw VI was he provided some closure that fans have been requesting, but it also swiftly opened new opportunities for storytelling. Just the simple mechanism of working with Kevin and seeing how to raise the bar significantly was nice. VII is all the more exciting because now they've added a new layer of complexity by adding 3D.

  It's supposed to be delivered to you by next Halloween, so we've had to be on the ball a hell of a lot earlier in order to provide that. We're also competing with every other genre project out there, including the low budget ones or multi-million dollar ones, and this one still has to hit like a lightening bolt.

  Dunstan claims that 3-D will play a role in the script.

  That was the biggest question – why would you dare tell a movie called Saw in 3-D? Well, the first trap in Saw VII answers that. It should awaken you like the first movie did.

  Saw fans will have to wait until Halloween 2010 to see what Dunstan means, but can content themselves for now with the traps of Saw VI, which Dunstan describes as having a very contemporary message behind them.

  Yeah, but without giving too much away – Saw VI took advantage of a very timely issue, which none of the other films have. I mean, they have in that there's a device or something that seems cool, but no, there's something that makes this movie the only one you can tell this year, right now with this much heat on it. It's a topic that has the elderly passionately fighting. That's all we're saying.

  Whatever the trap entails, it sure has returning Saw regular Shawnee Smith looking scared.

  
  
  Next Showing: Saw VI opens October 23

  Posted 10/06/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Marcus Dunstan | Shawnee Smith | Kevin Greutert | Saw VII | Saw VI

Monday, March 23

• Saw VI News

  The horror series that refuses to die offered some news about its latest installment. Series producer Mark Burg reports on the official SAW website:

  Shawnee Smith (Amanda) is in Saw VI. There are several new characters. Also, this movie is a lot more violent than the previous V. Lastly, we have traps that pit victims against each other like the opening of Saw V. Could be the best script yet!

  Considering Smith's involvement in Saw I through V, it's likely she'll appear in the inevitable Saw XII in 2015.

  The fifth sequel starts shooting in Toronto on March 30th, with Saw regulars Tobin Bell and Costas Mandylor returning, and VH1's Scream Queens winner, Tanedra Howard, making her debut.

  
  

  Posted 03/23/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Mark Burg | Shawnee Smith | Costas Mandylor | Tobin Bell | Saw VI

Wednesday, October 22

• Saw VI in Question?

  After four straight successes for the Saw franchise and a fifth seemingly in the bag, some surprising reports are emerging that Saw VI may be delayed, or might not even happen. These reports contradict other Saw news.

  In an interview with Screens and Tech, Tobin Bell says he "wouldn't be surprised if it went further" before adding "if the fans want more, it means there's a market for more."

  Other online reports have indicated that a Saw VI and VII were already greenlit and in pre-production, although producers were reluctant to offer confirmation at the recent round of press tours for Saw V.

  Saw IV's box office take was down slightly from Saw III, but considering the average budget on III, IV, and V was in the meager $10 million range, ending the franchise would make little sense financially.

  One final indicator that would seem to contradict emerging reports: The new VH1 reality show Scream Queens, co-hosted by Saw star Shawnee Smith, has contestants competing for the grand prize of a part in Saw VI.

  
  
  Next Showing: Saw V opens in theaters nationwide this Friday, October 24

  Posted 10/22/2008 by reelz

  Related: Shawnee Smith | Tobin Bell | Saw VI | Saw V | Saw IV | Saw III | Saw II | Saw

Thursday, November 8

• Saw's Smith set to Slaughter movie lovers with snuff film

  No, Slaughter is not a biopic based on the seminal early '90s hair metal band responsible for such awesomely craptastic hits as "Up All Night" and "Fly to the Angels"; it's a new horror pic starring current reigning scream queens Shawnee Smith (Saw II, Saw III, and presumably Saw IV through XVII), Erica Leerhsen (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and AnnaLynne McCord (Day of the Dead). According to The Hollywood Reporter, all three have signed on for the flick, in which they'll play "actresses unknowingly cast in a Japanese snuff film."

  Which begs the question: how many actresses are knowingly cast in snuff films? Do they hold auditions for these things? I can't say I've ever overheard an out-of-work actor say, "Man, I really hope I get that Japanese snuff film I auditioned for."

  
  

  Posted 11/08/2007 by reelz

  Related: Shawnee Smith | Erica Leerhsen | Slaughter | Saw V | Saw VI | Saw IV | Saw III | Saw II