"Saw III" Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman Starring Tobin Bell, Angus MacFayden Rated R Opens tomorrow
In 2004, "Saw" gripped and terrified horror fans everywhere with an eerie evolution of the genre that spoke to audiences on a violent, relentless and psychological frequency. The following year brought horror fans a deeper venture into one of the new millennium's most diabolical horror franchises in "Saw II." Now Tobin Bell, or "Jigsaw" to fans, teases interviewers with hints at direction and intensity in "Saw III," which spooks theatres on Friday.
Bell has crafted Jigsaw's personality down to every detail.
"His real name is John Kramer," Bell said.
Bell insists that his character is neither hero nor villain.
"He studied mechanical engineering in college, and views the world scientifically, but he has gripes about the world, as we all do. The survival of the fittest is a notion that Jigsaw wants to bring back," he said.
Despite Jigsaw's Darwinian worldview, Bell assures fans that "Saw III" will be the biggest and boldest of the series.
"The size and scope of the game that John Kramer is playing will surprise [the audience]. 'Saw III' has lots of surprises, traps, clues, and is a very fast-paced and frightening film," Bell said.
"[Director Darren Lynn Bousman] edits in his head as he is shooting. I think he is going to blow audiences out of the water with 'Saw III.'"
For those disillusioned with the modern gore-fest that the genre has become, Bell is unapologetic. "There's a lot of violence in our world. As an artist, that's not really a judgment I care to make. What disturbs me is [the violence] that we see on the news," Bell said.
Bell adds that film is merely a reflection of the human condition, which is oftentimes violent.
"If you don't want to see ['Saw III'], don't see it," he said.
Malevolence on Jigsaw's part aside, Bell also highlights the kindhearted nature of "Saw III." Because a majority of the crew has been together since the original movie, Bell likens them to a family.
"The mood on the set is quite relaxed. You'd be surprised," Bell said.
This family is not without a charitable spirit, or at least the marketing team isn't. Upcoming events include the "Saw III" blood drive, heir to the throne of the "Saw II" drive, with which Lionsgate Films amassed a total of 4,000 pints of donated blood and passed it on to the American Red Cross.
"Some 'Saw III' posters feature a vial of my donated blood, and will be auctioned off," Bell said.
He predicts that the new film's blood drive will pledge 8,000 pints, double last year's total.
"The theme of blood is a continuous one throughout the 'Saw' legend," Bell said.
Bell promises that the newest installment of the series will be just as plot-intensive as it is gory. For one thing, Bell hints that Jigsaw's relationship with his cohort Amanda (Shawnee Smith) will be far more detailed than ever before.
"There are some exciting flashbacks that fans will enjoy, and the relationship between Amanda and Jigsaw is very rich and very dramatic," he said.
Another issue that Bell was overtly ambiguous on concerned that of his favorite puppet, Billy.
"I'm somewhat reluctant to talk about his origins," he said.
"But I can tell you that he means a great deal to Jigsaw, and I can also tell you that Jigsaw has had him for a long time. He is very much a part of 'Saw III,'" Bell said.
"Saw III" will be superior to other horror movies coming out this Halloween season, Bell insists. "Horror has been a weak stepsister genre for years and this is largely due to weak scripts and slash-and-burn type films," Bell said.
"But ... it's becoming smarter and more relevant," he said.
