( Welcome to Tales from the Box Office , our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them. )

"Starting with the release of 'Saw VI,' and the disappointing box-office performance, it's been a dark time for me, no question." Those are the words of longtime "Saw" franchise editor and director Kevin Greutert, speaking with Entertainment Weekly in 2010 ahead of the release of "Saw 3D." At the time, the movie was also known as "Saw: The Final Chapter," seeking to put an end to the saga of Jigsaw after seven consecutive years of cinematic carnage.

Director James Wan's "Saw" became an unexpected box office smash in 2004 , pulling in $103 million worldwide against a minuscule $1.2 million budget. Lionsgate then m

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