Only last week we reported that Kevin Greutert, the director of Saw VI, had signed up to helm a sequel to last year’s surprise hit, Paranormal Activity, which is being rushed into production so it can be released for Halloween. Well, now it’s all change, as Lionsgate has told Greutert that he won’t be making Paranormal Activity 2, because he’ll be directing Saw VII 3D for them instead.
Deadline reports that while Saw VII was originally announced as having David Hackl at the helm, there was a clause in Greutert’s Saw VI contract that gave Lionsgate an option on him making Saw VII, and now they’ve decided to use it. With both films set for release on October 22nd and Paranormal Activity angling to become the new Halloween franchise of choice, you have to wonder whether Lionsgate are only bringing Greutert back to try and derail their main opposition.
The director himself doesn’t seem to be happy about it, posting on his website that, “I’m in the middle of something really terrible right now, as anyone who has come to this site probably knows. While I fight for justice in this, the important thing is to avoid giving in to hatred and anger, because these emotions are life killers. Hopefully we will all arrive at an amicable solution. Thank you to everyone who is working with me on this.”
It’s all getting rather messy, as it’s difficult to imagine Lionsgate has called Greutert in for any other reason that to screw with the opposition. After all, Saw VI was a big flop, so you wouldn’t think they’d want him back, but as using their option leaves Paranormal Activity 2 without a director and it’s less than 10 months until its meant to be in cinemas, perhaps they feel it’s more important to try and knock their rival out than actually make Saw VII really good.