SAW Based HHN Press Release 2009

[Mark M.]

Saw Added to Universal's Halloween Horror Nights

Source:Lionsgate

June 25, 2009

Lionsgate has signed a deal with Universal Studios to integrate its "Saw" franchise into the theme park's annual "Halloween Horror Nights" event. Here is the full press release:

Building on a tradition of bringing the horror genre's most compelling stories and characters to life in blood-curdling, living nightmare encounters, Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights will present an all-new "live" attraction based on the most profitable horror franchise to date, SAW, per an agreement among Universal Studios Theme Parks, Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures.

The new SAW experiences, to be presented at this year's Halloween Horror Nights event, will mark the first time that SAW characters and stories will be developed as "live" attractions in a U.S. theme park. At Universal Studios Hollywood, characters, themes and live action recreations of the infamous "traps" from the entire SAW horror franchise will be featured in a "maze" experience, in multiple "scare zones" and aboard the parks signature "Terror Tram," where guests will be subjected to a deadly "game" that will echo a story element instantly recognizable to SAW's legion of fans. The team designing the live SAW experiences includes the Universal Studios Hollywood creative department as well as Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures.

A SAW attraction will also be included in the Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Orlando.

The SAW film series has managed to ratchet up tension and invention with each successive film, while jangling millions of nerves worldwide. The sixth installment of the powerhouse franchise is scheduled to hit theatres this October in its traditional opening weekend slot leading into Halloween.

Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating officer, Universal Studios Hollywood, said: "Guests at Halloween Horror Nights have come to expect the world's most authentic, imaginative and truly terrifying 'live' Halloween experiences and the record-breaking SAW film franchise provides us with an ideal platform for meeting those high expectations. We're thrilled to be able to work with Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures in what we expect to be a perfect marriage of creative forces."

"We are excited to be able to bring a new level of fright to our loyal SAW fans. It is clear that the creative team at Universal Studios Theme Parks understands the mythology of SAW, and they have proven to have very creative and twisted minds," said Burg and Koules.

"This partnership represents a new landmark for the SAW film franchise in that it allows us together with Twisted Pictures to further expand the brand and immerse fans in the horrifying world of SAW," added Aubrey McClure, Senior Vice President of Promotions & Licensing for Lionsgate.