Is it time for Jigsaw to be resurrected?

When Saw 3D ended the seven year reign of the franchise less than two years ago, for many it was seen as a sigh of relief. By this time Paranormal Activity had taken hold as the new Halloween series audiences ran to theaters to see, and Sawhad just become torture porn that found less ways to feel original as the first three films. With Saw ending on a narrative return to the first film, the series was put to rest to be awakened just one day in the future whenever Lionsgate wanted to most. Well apparently, it’s only taken one Halloween absence to make the studio’s heart grow fonder and that future day of Jigsaw may be now.

Bloody Disgusting reports that sources tell them Lionsgate is currently “tinkering with the idea” of rebooting the Sawfranchise. They say that while an eighth film is not out of the running just yet, nothing has been decided and development is only in infant stages. “But rest assured,” the site warns. “Jigsaw will return.”

Honestly? This really doesn’t seem so surprising. Made for minimal money and grossing pleny at the box office, the series stayed afloat for years with the same model despite critical panning almost every single installment. Saw 3D was dubbed the final installment, but from there reports surfaced about an eighth film and even a reboot. So really, talks like these have been a long time coming. It’s whether or not Lionsgate may be willing to pull out the reboot card to reimagine the franchise that is certainly a big development.

One of the main reasons the final four films are seen as somewhat of a less than successful model for the series is due to the creative change and ultimate abandonment of what the series turned into. At first, there was actually a narrative to go along with all of the gore while pushing audiences to the limit of just how much they’re willing to see. Once the visuals and traps started to gather rust, the major nail in the coffin may have been killing off the icon of the entire series with Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw.

Each sequel afterwards eventually had to jump hurdles that eventually grew to monster proportions in ways to keep bringing Bell back, to the point where he was barely in the final films of the franchise despite being the face of the brand. If the series is to be rebooted, Bell could easily return to reprise his role as Jigsaw but could also see a change if Lionsgate is to go for something different.

Created by James Wan and Leigh Whannell, the series’ seven films have grossed a major $870 million worldwide combined total. Should the studio reboot Saw, the earliest release date would be Halloween 2013. But the question still remains: Lionsgate, are you ready to play a game…again?