10 Horror Movies That Were Cancelled Because Of Other Movies
8. Saw VIII Was Cancelled Because Of Paranormal Activity
Saw was a dominant force in horror during the millennium. Even as the later instalments declined in quality, Lionsgate's franchise kept printing money, earning back 10, 20, or 30 times its budget with various instalments.
The creators knew Saw couldn't last forever, but they wanted the torture-soaked gorefest to go out with a bang. While Saw VI was in production, David Hackl was brought in to direct the first of a two-part finale.
Unfortunately, Saw VI was the least successful entry in the series, largely because it was competing against Paranormal Activity. It was immediately clear that the found-footage indie was the new hot horror property, indicating Saw was on the way out sooner than expected.
Worse still, Paranormal Activity 2 was being released in the same window as Saw VII. Adding insult to injury, Saw V director, Kevin Greutert, was set to direct, which felt like a blow to Saw's production company, Twisted Pictures.
In response, Twisted Pictures pulled Greutert back and urged him to direct a singular finale called Saw 3D. Although Saw 3D's plot was similar to the original Saw VII and Saw VIII, major elements were condensed or cut
Although Saw had a revival years later and an eighth instalment was released, it bore no resemblance to the planned Saw VIII.