'Saw' stars reunite for third edition

Bell, Smith back for another bloodbath

By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith will reprise their star roles in 'Saw III.'

Horror franchise 'Saw' has carved out more than $250 million in worldwide box office.

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Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith are reprising their starring roles for "Saw III," while Bahar Soomekh ("Mission: Impossible III") is joining the hit horror franchise for the first time.

Pic, which is being produced by Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures, is set to begin shooting May 8 in Toronto. Sequel also stars Angus MacFadyen and Dina Meyer. Meyer starred in the first two installments.

Lionsgate Intl. will present the film to buyers at Cannes.

"Saw III" will be directed by Darren Lynn Bousman ("Saw II"). Franchise scribes Leigh Whannell and James Wan came up with the story for the upcoming installment, with Whannell penning the screenplay.

All told, horror franchise has grossed more than $250 million in worldwide box office receipts, with DVD sales approaching 10 million units, according to Lionsgate.

Producers of "Saw III" are Twisted Pictures' Mark Burg and Oren Koules, and the late Gregg Hoffman, to whom the pic will dedicated. Exec producers are Wan, Whannell, Peter Block, Jason Constantine and Dan Heffner.

Bell and Smith both starred in "Saw II."