Entertainment Brief 10/31/22

From new horror franchise installments to retiring band members, this is your weekly entertainment brief from last week’s biggest entertainment news.

Tobin Bell to Return to the Saw Franchise

         Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures are beginning production on a new Saw movie and reuniting actor Tobin Bell with the process.

         Bell played John Kramer, better known as “Jigsaw,” during the first three Saw films. The character was a former engineer who survived colon cancer and tested corrupt citizens’ wills to live with dangerous traps and games.

         The character was killed off in Saw III but has since returned throughout the rest of the series in flashbacks and other scenes of that nature.

         As of now, it is still too early to guess what Kramer’s role will be in the franchise’s tenth installment, but according to producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules, he will indeed be making an appearance.

         “What a thrill to be reuniting with Tobin,” the producers said. “His performance as John Kramer is part of the magic that made this franchise a phenomenon and his character is an active part of this film.”

         Saw X is set to release on October 27, 2023. Kevin Greuter, who directed Saw VI and Saw: The Final Chapter is also set to return to the director’s chair.

Mick Mars Retires from Touring, John 5 Set to Replace Him

         On Oct. 26, founding member and lead guitarist of Mötley Crüe Mick Mars announced his retirement from touring.

         The band published a statement regarding the departure and cited Mars’ health as the reason.

         “Due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis [Mars] will no longer be able to tour with the band,” the statement read. “Mick will continue as a member of the band, but he can no longer handle the rigors of the road.”

         With many speculating who would take Mars’ place, one of the most popular names to come up was John 5, guitarist for Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie.

         The band confirmed these rumors via their Twitter on Oct. 27.

         “To say ‘enough is enough’ is the ultimate act of courage,” the statement said. “…we are grateful that our good friend, John 5, has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward.”

         John 5 expressed his gratitude toward the band in the same statement, saying he was “‘honored to carry on Mick’s legacy’ and looked forward to playing [the band’s] songs.”

         Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory arthritis which affects the spine and large joints. It often causes the spine to fuse together and lose flexibility. This results in hunched posture.

Mars has carried the disease since his late teens, playing guitar and touring with Mötley Crüe despite its effects for the past forty-one years.

Leslie Jordan Dies at 67

         The past week started with yet another celebrity death as actor Leslie Jordan died on Oct. 24 at the age of 67.

         Jordan was reportedly driving a BMW when he crashed into the side of a building in Los Angeles. Police declared the actor dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Times.

         Police are unsure if it was a medical emergency which caused Jordan to crash, but judging by the condition of the car as well as the skid marks leading up to the crash, it seemed as if the actor lost control.

         Jordan first obtained his big break in show business with the 1989 debut season of Murphy Brown. Since then, he has been cast in numerous other television shows such as Will and Grace and most recently, Call Me Kat, whose third season premiered a month ago.      

  Jordan also reached a new generation of fans thanks to his Instagram account, where he would post comedic and wholesome videos, especially during the height of the COVID pandemic.

Jerry Lee Lewis Dies at 87

         Jerry Lee Lewis, best known for hits like “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire” died on Oct. 28 at 87 years of age.

         Lewis’ death was announced by his publicist, Zach Farnum, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. No cause was revealed, although rumors claim the early rock pioneer had been in poor health for a while.

         “[He] suffered through the last years of his life from various illnesses and injuries that, his physicians often said, should have taken him decades ago,” the statement read. “He abused his body so thoroughly as a young man he was given little chance of lasting through middle age, let alone old age.”

         Known as “The Killer,” Lewis was born in 1935 in Ferriday, LA. In 1956, he signed to Sun Records, the same label who brought Elvis Presley into the public eye.

Much like Presley, Lewis embodied the rebellion which 1950s rock n’ roll was known for, pounding the piano keys with such emotion and aggression, kicking over his bench as he stood during performances.

Lewis was announced as part of the 2022 class of the Country Music Hall of Fame but was advised not to attend for health reasons. He was reported to be working on a new album throughout 2020, although the status and potential release of said record has not been revealed.