Tobin Bell has been a horror movie mainstay since 2004’s Saw, when he had to lie on the dirty floor of a dilapidated bathroom, seemingly dead, only to be revealed as the true mastermind behind all of Jigsaw’s twisted mind games. It’s a role that has served him well and, on the verge of the 20th anniversary of the release of Saw, the actor has revealed that he will be returning for more games in next year’s Saw XI.
During a chat with The Los Angeles Times to discuss the 20th anniversary of Saw and his legacy as John Kramer, a.k.a. Jigsaw, Bell revealed that he is returning for next year’s Saw XI and that he will also be a main part of the film’s plot. The actor pointed to the critical reception of Saw X, which received the franchise’s best reviews to date, underlining his hope that Saw XI will continue that trend, saying, “It’s all in the writing.” According to Bell, if fans thought John Kramer’s story was over, it’s not done just yet:
“I’m really excited about continuing to develop him. There’s more to learn.”
Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw Journey Began in 2004
Bell began his journey as John Kramer in 2004’s Saw, a film written by Leigh Whannell and directed by James Wan, in his feature directorial debut. In a story conceived by both Whannell and Wan, the film followed a nonlinear narrative that looked into the killings of the Jigsaw Killer, a man who puts his victims through a series of “games” that test their will to live by inflicting them with great physical pain through intricate traps that he has created. Kramer’s true connection to the Jigsaw Killer isn’t revealed until the closing moments of the first film, when it’s revealed that a man believed to be dead in a dilapidated bathroom where two men are trapped and forced to play one of Jigsaw’s games, is revealed to be the killer himself.
Bell’s last appearance as Kramer in Saw X took place between the events of Saw and 2005’s Saw II. The film followed the character as he traveled to Mexico with the hope that an experimental procedure would cure him of his terminal cancer. The procedure is ultimately revealed to be a scam which leads Kramer to go full Jigsaw and make those responsible pay for their actions. The movie turned into a critical and financial success, registering a franchise-high 80 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing $111.8 million worldwide on a $13 million budget.