Lionsgate and Blumhouse Atomic Monster announced that Mike P. Nelson will direct the next film in the Saw franchise. The announcement was made by producer James Wan and Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. This move follows Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s recent acquisition of Twisted Pictures’ stake in the Saw intellectual property, effectively returning the franchise to Wan’s leadership alongside Lionsgate.
Nelson, currently directing the creature feature Beware Boiúna, brings a track record in modern survival and creature horror to the project. His previous directing credits include the 2021 Wrong Turn reboot and the 2025 reimagining of Silent Night, Deadly Night. His feature directorial debut was the post-apocalyptic action-horror film The Domestics. Beware Boiúna premiered at Fantastic Fest last week and is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 2.
The new Saw film is written by Gregory Weidman and Geoff Tock, known for their work on Below and Dune: Prophecy. James Wan, Jason Blum, and Leigh Whannell are serving as producers. Executive producers include Mark Burg, Oren Koules, Stacey Testro, Michael Clear, and Judson Scott. Alayna Glasthal and Sarah Paek will oversee the production for Atomic Monster.
Wan stated that making the original Saw was a defining experience, making it essential to find a director who would honor that world. The original 2004 film, directed by Wan and written by Whannell, debuted in the Midnight section of the Sundance Film Festival. It introduced the Jigsaw killer and became the longest-running theatrical horror franchise with a single continuous mythology. The franchise last appeared on the big screen with Saw X in 2023.