Billy the Puppet is an icon from the Jigsaw, so here's what Billy the puppet is made of in each Saw film leading up to 2017.
The name Billy is never actually used in any Saw film but the puppet was christened as Billy by the creator James Wan. The eerie doll has since been referred to as Billy in documentaries, interviews, and behind-the-scenes videos. Billy is used by the serial killer Jigsaw to communicate with his victims and is used to convey the rules of his traps long after John Kramer's death. His design is strikingly unique and unnerving. He may be a vehicle for communication in the series but he also is a reminder that Kramer is a brilliant craftsman and inventor who can build more than just deadly traps.
Though there are variations in Billy's appearance throughout Saw, he is always recognizable as a horror icon due to several key traits. The puppet's ghostly white skin, red spiral cheeks, a black and white tuxedo with a red bowtie, and creepy cackle characterize him. There have been small changes to Billy's construction in each film that affect how his mechanics work more than they do outward look. The most drastic appearance change can be seen in Jigsaw where he is shown as cleaner and highly technical. Here is each time Billy changes in Saw and all the materials used to construct him.
Saw
The first Saw film was only granted a budget fractionally above one million dollars so creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell had to look to independent films like Amanda Young's scene in Saw is made all the more nerve-racking due to Billy's uncoordinated movements.
Saw II
The mechanics of Billy the Puppet in Saw consisted of nothing more than fishing lines meticulously hidden from cameras. For Venus fly trap scene in Saw II shows off these mechanics particularly well. Billy's new and improved shifty eyes add to the impending brutality to come in the series.
Saw III
For Saw III, the prop department attempted to use the original Billy puppet from Saw but found it unfit for purpose. Seeing as that doll was made from degradable materials, time had worn him down badly enough that he couldn't be fixed. Instead, the crew created a fresh puppet with entirely new materials. Waterjet-cut foam was used to craft Billy's body rather than fiberglass. Magnetic plates were placed inside him so that he could be held together properly. The plates also helped secure him to his iconic bike. The prop department made the back of his head removable so that mechanical parts could be added where needed. Billy's role in Saw III is a small one but there's an insightful flashback that shows John Kramer painting his face. Saw III plants the seed that Billy means more to Kramer than meets the eye. Later, the series delves into the tragic story behind why Billy exists.
Saw IV And Beyond
In Saw IV, the prop department kept the construction of Billy nearly the same. They used waterjet-cut foam again to shape his body but put metal rods in place for his limbs and spine to give him posture. Magnets were utilized again and those helped flatten his rear so he could sit in a more natural way. The mouth and ping pong ball eyes were once again remote-controlled. From Saw IV and on, Billy the Puppet was majorly motorized and magnetized. His hair and eyes remained the same, up until Jigsaw where the red rings of his eyes were made to glow. Jigsaw's advertising in 2017 released posters of the original puppet design, however. Jigsaw's prequel reveal at the end of the film may explain his new pristine look.
Regardless of whether or not Billy is remote-controlled or made of clay, his recognizable face has remained a constant throughout the Saw franchise. He did not make an appearance in Spiral but may return for Saw X, the production of which has been teased for a while now. Billy the Puppet's uniquely chilling design assures that he is an irreplaceable icon in the horror genre and will remain the mascot of Saw no matter what he's made of.
