Wow so much new info! I don't even know what to think haha. I can't really tell what direction they're going to go in. Seems like they are weighing out a ton of options.
I feel like the next movie is probably not going to be set in current time if they really want John Kramer to be a huge part of the movie. Which I really don't want anymore prequels, I'd like to move the franchise along and I feel like creating a proper sequel to Jigsaw/Saw 7 is the only way to do that. I think they should bring back Logan/Dr.Gordon/Hoffman and maybe 1-2 more characters from Jigsaw.
I don't think fans would be so turned off by the movie if it included past SAW characters. I mean look at Halloween this past October. It was a massive hit and it was essentially a sequel to a movie that came out like 30+ years ago and had characters from the old franchise.
They just need to make a movie that has a solid script and director. The marketing will be key for this movie as well. Halloween's marketing was amazing, Jigsaw had horrible marketing. I'm afraid that if they are aiming for 2019 that they are in some trouble cause I feel like they're going to be rushing this if it's going to come out October 2019 (Unless they are further along then we think).
Realistically they need to put a lot of work into having a creative marketing team on this film. Don't just release a trailer at SDCC and then do no promos until a month out, that won't work again. It worked in the past because the franchise had a huge fan base and the movies came out every year. That is no longer the case from what Jigsaw showed.
I hope they really focus on the quality of the next one. I think it'll come down to the director. I REALLY hope they get someone good such as Wan/Whannel/Greutert/Bousman. I doubt any of them return but we'll see!
A part of me is worried that if they wait until 2020 that will be too much time between movies OR it will be competing against Halloween's sequel film, which is probably going to drop either October 2020 or 2021. I really don't think Saw can compete with Halloween, even if Halloween comes out a week or two before Saw.
They need to get people excited for the next film, I don't know how they do that, but it's possible. The fan base is there, SAW used to be insanely popular. Lionsgate just needs to put some effort in. They should realistically drop some creepy teaser trailer and posters like 6-8 months out. Even just the billy doll laughing or riding the tricycle could be an interesting teaser.
I'm excited for the direction that Lionsgate is heading because it seems like they are taking the series seriously for the first time in a long time and seems like they are putting time and effort into this film. I just hope it's not for nothing.