Mike P. Nelson will direct new Saw film as James Wan returns

Beware Boiúna director Mike P. Nelson will direct a new Saw film for Lionsgate and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, announced last week, with James Wan producing in his first creative return to the franchise since 2006.

TL;DR

• Nelson, who made Wrong Turn and Silent Night, Deadly Night, will direct an untitled Saw film written by Gregory Weidman and Geoff Tock.
• Wan, Leigh Whannell and Jason Blum produce for Blumhouse Atomic Monster, with Lionsgate releasing.
• No title or release date has been announced.
• Nelson’s Beware Boiúna reaches cinemas on 2 October.

What Lionsgate and Blumhouse have confirmed

The film comes from Blumhouse Atomic Monster, which bought out a stake in the franchise held by Twisted Pictures in 2025, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That deal returned Saw to Wan, who directed the 2004 original. Wan’s other franchise, The Conjuring, is also growing, with a First Communion prequel that has cast its young Warrens.

Wan said in a statement that making the first film was “a defining experience for me.” He wanted a director who would respect that world and described Nelson’s style as raw and distinctive.

Nelson said the chance to play in Wan’s sandbox was a dream come true. He also called the script wild.

Who is writing and producing the new Saw film

Weidman and Tock (Below, Dune: Prophecy) wrote the screenplay, according to Deadline. Wan, Blum and Whannell produce, and Whannell co-wrote the original Saw with Wan.

Lionsgate executive Adam Fogelson said Nelson has a singular vision for the film. Deadline describes it as the first release since the billion-dollar franchise returned to Wan.

Wan is also producing a new Paranormal Activity film, which has added Chase Yi to its cast.

Mike P. Nelson’s horror franchise record

Nelson already has form with established horror brands. His credits include Wrong Turn (2021), 2025’s Silent Night, Deadly Night and the “No Wake” segment of V/H/S/85.

He also made the short Sweet Revenge, which brought Jason Voorhees back to life. That is a decent audition for a franchise built on elaborate death traps.

Where to see Nelson’s Beware Boiúna in the UK

Nelson’s Amazon survival horror Beware Boiúna reaches cinemas on 2 October, according to UK magazine Dork. Kiana Madeira, Jessica Rothe and Logan Marshall-Green star.

Saw film title and release date

Alas, Lionsgate has not announced a title, cast or release date for the new Saw film. The studio does have a new Blair Witch movie dated for September 2027.

We’ll keep you posted on updates about Saw as the project develops.

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Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed 28 September 2026.