Movie Tea: Punisher To Star In 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'; Blumhouse Purchases Entire 'Saw' Franchise

Hype Malaysia

5 days ago

Much like when Freddy first duked it out with Jason, the world of cinema is forever changed when two gigantic worlds collide.
From the potential meeting of MCU's most brutal anti-hero with our favourite Web-Head, to the union of franchise horror giants, here's the latest news on upcoming movies out of Hollywood.
Blumhouse Buys Rights To 'Saw' Series
In 25 short years, Blumhouse has become a household name in the world of horror, known for bringing iconic series such as 'Insidious', 'Paranormal Activity', 'Get Out', and more to the public consciousness. It is an absolute juggernaut of the industry, one that recently got bigger thanks to its acquisition of the 'Saw' franchise.
Following a lengthy process and undisclosed amounts of money, the torturous mascot, Jigsaw, will now be sharing a seat in the production house's killer doll gallery alongside Megan and Freddy Fazbear… well, at least a portion of it. Blumhouse has specifically purchased the part of the franchise that was previously owned by Oren Koules and Mark Burg.
As per Deadline's reporting, Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse, has now acquired the rights to any and all 'Saw' projects, such as film, TV, games, and even theme park attractions — all of it. Despite this move, Lionsgate still retains partial ownership of the IP and is still on board for any future production and distribution.
Blum went on to say that the franchise 'defined a generation of horror' and that 'its cultural impact continues to grow, making this a strategic investment in one of the most recognisable and successful genre properties of the last two decades.'
Though it has not been outright stated, many believe that the reason why the franchise was sold off was because of the critical and commercial failure of two of its most recent entries, 2017's 'Jigsaw' and 2020's Chris Rock-led 'Spiral: From The Book Of Saw'. In a brief statement, Koules said that it was 'the right time to pass the baton,' while Burg stated that he wanted to 'move on and tell new stories.' Though the franchise is now under new management, that doesn't mean we are seeing some old and familiar faces. Blum added that James Wan and Leigh Whannell will be brought 'back in the fold' to help guide the future of the franchise.
Following this news, Wan went on to say that 'Saw holds a special place in my heart — it's where Leigh and I began our Hollywood journey. Coming back to this world with a fresh perspective is both thrilling and deeply personal. For me, this will mark a significant creative return to the Saw franchise for the first time since the early days, and I'm very much looking forward to embracing the original spirit whilst pushing the legacy forward in bold, unexpected ways.'
Jon Bernthal's Punisher Joins Tom Holland In 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'
At last! After months of waiting, we finally got substantive news on everyone's favourite webslinger. Not only do we now have an official release date for the film, but also the news that he's not returning to the big screen alone.
Everyone's favourite MCU anti-hero, Frank Castle, is finally making his theatrical debut. This news came to light just prior to the movie's summer shoot in England, but the plot of the film, as well as Bernthal's role in it, remains a mystery. These aren't the only two stars that have been confirmed, as Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are set to reprise their roles as MJ and Ned, respectively.
Though we do not know the implications of this team-up in the greater MCU universe, we do know that Bernthal and Holland have a special bond that goes beyond showbiz, as the two have lifted each other up during their respective Marvel roles. Bernthal has been very vocal about his friendship with Holland and has even shared their lives before their MCU roles.
For those who remember, the Punisher actor was on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' when he said, 'We did a film about seven or eight years ago.' The film in question was 2017's 'Pilgrimage'. 'That was where both Tom did his audition for Spider-Man and I did my audition for Punisher. We actually made each other's audition tapes on that film,' Bernthal added.
Together, they would help each other out in doing specific scenes or actions that would eventually net them their desired roles. Suffice it to say that it all paid off in the end, and to see them once again share in the fruits of their labour is something we can't wait to see unfold. 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' is set to hit theatres on 31st July, 2026.
Sources: Variety, Empire, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter
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