The dominance of the repulsive “Saw” franchise, which has lorded over the Halloween period at the movies for the past five years, was finally broken last year by the sleeper success of Paramount’s acquisition “Paranormal Activity,” which ended up grossing over $100 million on a tiny budget, hammering the sixth installment of the torture porn franchise into the ground – “Saw VI” grossed a meagre $27 million, making it by far the least successful film of the franchise.
Paramount immediately greenlit a quickie sequel, and set it for release on October 22nd, the same day as “Saw VII,” which is set to be the first 3D film in the franchise, and poached “Saw VI” director Kevin Greutert, who cut his teeth editing the previous films in the series, to direct. Lionsgate, meanwhile, had brought appropriately-named “Saw V” helmer David Hackl back to the franchise. Had being the operative word, because, in a hilariously petty move, the mini-studio have now decided to exercise their option on Greutert, and are insisting that he return to the fold and direct the seventh movie, leaving “Paranormal Activity 2” without a director, and the clock ticking before the release date. Hackl has been removed from the film, although will be assigned another film soon, apparently.
We really, really hate both these series, but this story’s amazing, and far more entertaining than either horror picture is likely to be. Lionsgate are acting like a 1930s movie studio, and it doesn’t bode well for the quality control of the series if the director’s being forced into making the film. So, it’s now open warfare for Halloween weekend, and we can’t wait to see how Paramount respond. Hiring Tobin Bell to topline “Paranormal Activity 2?” Defacing billboards for “Season of the Witch?” Assassinating Archduke Tyler Perry as he visits Sarajevo? Only time will tell…