Saw Creative Team Spearheads Resurgence of Leprechaun Horror Franchise
Lionsgate taps veteran Saw screenwriters and producers to revive the cult horror series three decades after Jennifer Aniston's debut. The new project moves forward following a previously stalled attempt by director Felipe Vargas.
Key takeaways
- Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan are writing the new Leprechaun film for Lionsgate.
- Saw producer Oren Koules returns to the franchise alongside his son, Miles Koules.
- This new project follows the 2025 departure of director Felipe Vargas from the series.
- It remains unclear if the film will be a direct sequel or a total reboot of the 1993 original.
Revival Led by Horror Veterans
Lionsgate is re-entering the world of Irish folklore-inspired horror with a new installment of the Leprechaun series. The production reunites frequent collaborators from the Saw franchise, with Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan handling screenwriting duties. Oren Koules, who has spent twenty-three years producing Saw films at Lionsgate, will produce the project alongside Miles Koules. While specific plot points are currently undisclosed, the production aims to deliver a fresh interpretation of the titular antagonist.
Overcoming Production Hurdles
This latest development follows a period of uncertainty for the property. A previous attempt to revitalize the series in 2024 under director Felipe Vargas and writer Mike Van Waes failed to materialize. Vargas confirmed his exit in May 2025, shifting his focus to an animated Bob the Builder feature. The new iteration represents a renewed commitment by Lionsgate to leverage one of its most recognizable horror assets.
Context and History
The original 1993 film, which starred Jennifer Aniston as Tory Redding alongside Ken Olandt and Mark Holton, established a raunchy and violent tone that defined the franchise. Despite consistently poor critical reception, the series has maintained a dedicated cult following over several decades. The most recent entry, 2018's Leprechaun Returns, functioned as a legacy sequel that ignored five prior installments. That film featured Linden Porco replacing Warwick Davis in the lead role and followed Tory’s daughter, Lila Jenkins. It is currently unconfirmed whether the Melton-Dunstan project will continue this timeline or initiate a complete reboot.
Key Facts
- The original 1993 film had a 91-minute runtime and was directed by Mark Jones.
- Lionsgate veteran producer Oren Koules is leading the new production team.
- The screenplay is being developed by Saw franchise writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan.
- Director Felipe Vargas officially exited the franchise in May 2025 to work on a project set in Puerto Rico.
- The franchise last saw a release in 2018 with the direct sequel Leprechaun Returns.
Source: MovieWeb
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