Like all films, whether successful or not – it started with an idea. That idea was SAW, not necessarily a franchise, but if it comes about, who’s going to say ‘no.’

That idea was started by two guys; James Wan & Leigh Whannell. They met each other during film school. James wanted to be a director and Leigh was a screenwriter; a perfect combination.

The two got together and hashed out the idea for SAW, in 2003, they created a short film around the concept and began pitching it.

Lionsgate picked up the film in 2004 for financing and once produced, it was featured at the Sundance Film Festival. The following October, like all the Octobers after that, they released the film theatrically. The film and the sequels have been very successful. So successful, year after year, the budget grew, and another film was produced.

With less than an estimated $50 million dollars spent on production of all the films, the SAW franchise has gone on to make over three quarters of a billion dollars in revenue. Not a bad investment on Liongate’s part.

Below are some of the posters and characters from each of the films.

In all 6 films have been released, with a 7th planned for production February 2010.

Total Budgets: $61.5 million
Gross (all films): $603 million
Directors:
James Wan
Darren Lynn Bousman
Kevin Greutert
David Hackl
Starring:
Leigh Whannell
Cary Elwes
Danny Glover
Shawnee Smith
Donnie Wahlberg
Tobin Bell
Beverley Mitchell
Dina Meyer
Costas Mandylor
Bahar Soomekh
Julie Benz