Mind-Blowing Mid-Credits Surprise: Director Reveals Epic Cameo by Saw X!

Warning: Major SPOILERS lie ahead for Saw X!

Summary

In the sequel's mid-credits scene, Kevin Greutert, the director of Saw X, discusses the significant cameo, referring to it as "the ultimate fan service" for dedicated fans. Greutert elaborates that bringing back Mark Hoffman, portrayed by Costas Mandylor, was not only a means to conclude another character's storyline but also a delightfully enjoyable experience.

The director openly acknowledges their intention to satisfy the die-hard fans and successfully delivers on that promise.

Having already witnessed two significant comebacks in the film, Saw X director Kevin Greutert sheds light on the prominent cameo featured in the mid-credits scene of the sequel. Set between the first two films, this latest addition to the horror franchise follows John Kramer, portrayed by Tobin Bell, as he takes his Jigsaw methods to Mexico after being deceived by a group of swindlers who claimed to have cured his cancer. With Shawnee Smith, a returning star from the franchise, joining the cast, Saw X has become the first installment to secure a Fresh rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, providing an exhilarating experience for both reviewers and devoted fans.

Entertainment Weekly recently interviewed Kevin Greutert, the director/editor of Saw X, to discuss the highly anticipated mid-credits scene in the franchise. Greutert acknowledged that bringing back Mark Hoffman, portrayed by Costas Mandylor, was a deliberate nod to the dedicated fanbase. Additionally, he revealed that the scene was a result of the filmmakers having an enjoyable time concluding Michael Beach's character arc for Henry. Below is Greutert's explanation:

We were aware that many devoted fans wanted to see this character return, so we made sure to deliver it in a satisfying manner. While it was important for us to tie up the loose ends of the other character introduced in the scene, we also couldn't resist the opportunity to have some fun ourselves.

Hoffman's Saw X Return & Potential Future Explained

Prior to the movie's release, fans of the franchise had already started speculating about the possibility of Hoffman's comeback in Saw X. They primarily pointed to Amanda's appearance as a sign that other Jigsaw apprentices could also be featured. The first trailer for the movie cleverly included audio from Hoffman's cameo, with the corrupt detective ominously asking, "Of all the men to cheat, you picked John Kramer?" The apprentice's return was confirmed when he helped John in eliminating the last few people who had deceived him and over 30 others in a medical scam. He subjected Henry to a trap that cut into his stomach, although there were no survival instructions given.

Despite the various theories surrounding his return, Saw fans might still be surprised to see Hoffman again, as his last appearance was in 2010's The Final Chapter. In that film, he was left chained up in the bathroom from the original movie by Gordon, played by Cary Elwes, who was revealed to be another apprentice after surviving his own test. To ensure Hoffman's demise, Gordon removed the hacksaw that he had previously used to cut off his own foot in order to escape his trap, seemingly guaranteeing Hoffman's fate.

Similar to how Bell appeared in multiple sequels after Jigsaw's demise in Saw III, Hoffman's comeback is limited to the prequel timeline of Saw X. This approach avoids contradicting his death or creating a complicated explanation for his survival. However, producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules have confirmed that Hoffman's reappearance was intended to lay the groundwork for a potential Saw 11, which may generate skepticism considering the tenth film's well-received return to its former glory. Nevertheless, there are several other potential paths to explore in the future, such as delving into Jigsaw's confirmed surviving apprentices or addressing Spiral's cliffhanger ending. Hopefully, the producers take the right lessons from this new chapter.