Summary

• Saw X's success can be partly attributed to its placement in the Saw franchise's timeline, allowing for the return of Tobin Bell's John Kramer.
• Spiral director Darren Lynn Bousman wanted to include Bell in the film but was told by Lionsgate that Spiral should exist "in its own universe."
• John Kramer's return in Saw X was more successful than it would have been in Spiral due to the film's fresh take on the character.

John Kramer had the perfect return to the big screen in the Saw franchise's timeline, as its placement between Saw and Saw II enables the sequel to follow Tobin Bell's John Kramer once again.

Kramer is the original Jigsaw, and he serves as the villain of the first three Saw movies. However, after Kramer perishes in Saw III, he's only seen in flashbacks. Saw X marks Bell's first return as a presently alive Kramer, but according to Spiral director Darren Lynn Bousman, Spiral. Bousman hoped to work with Bell on the film, but Lionsgate wanted Spiral to exist "in its own universe," explicitly stating that Bell shouldn't be in the film. That's probably for the best, as Kramer's return in Spiral would have been very different — and perhaps a bit underwhelming.

John Kramer Appearing In Spiral Would Be Very Different From His Saw X Return

John Kramer's role in Spiral wouldn't have worked nearly as well as his return in Saw X for two key reasons. For one, the events of the 2021 film take place after Kramer's death, which would make his comeback difficult to pull off. Unless the movie wanted to retcon the sequels that came before it, it could only include Kramer in flashbacks. This had been done before in multiple Saw sequels, so it wouldn't have felt nearly as fresh or effective as Saw X's return to Kramer's life.

The fact that Saw X makes Kramer more of a hero than a villain also highlights why a Spiral return wouldn't have been as exciting. Saw X revamped the franchise's formula by making Kramer a killer worth rooting for, something none of the other Saw movies attempted. It's unlikely Spiral would have put Bell's character in such a role, as he'd be more likely to target the copycat Jigsaw killers. With that in mind, Kramer's return to the Saw franchise wouldn't have been as successful as it was in 2023. It could even have prevented Saw X from going forward.

Spiral: From the Book of Saw is currently streaming on Hulu.

Jigsaw's Role In Spiral Could Have Prevented Saw X From Happening

John Kramer's Saw X comeback is nearly perfect, and it might not have happened if he appeared in Spiral. Given the former movie's disappointing box office performance, Lionsgate might have pressed the brakes on more Saw movies in general. The studio also might not have come to the conclusion that bringing Kramer back could reignite fans' interest in the franchise. Saw X's performance proves that its decision to recenter Kramer was the right call, so it's for the best that Kramer didn't show up in Spiral. He more than made up for the absence in Saw X.