“Scream Queens 2” will take a new cadre of 10 aspiring actresses and give them the chance to win a breakthrough role in the tentatively titled Saw 3D (the seventh film), the next film in Lionsgate’s “Saw” horror franchise. The reality competition series is produced by Lionsgate and Joke Productions, Inc. and is slated to premiere in 2010. Actress Jamie King (Mother’s Day, My Bloody Valentine 3D, The Tripper) will host and also judge alongside director Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs) and acting coach John Homa.

Season one winner Tanedra Howard was featured in the coveted and iconic “opening trap” scene in “Saw VI,” playing the character “Simone.” Due to her breakout performance and significant storyline, she is also expected to appear in future Lionsgate productions, a major coup for the previously undiscovered actress.

This season’s cast will once again be put through a horror film boot camp with intense physical challenges, learning how to work with creatures, gore, and stunts, while also building their acting chops. The winning actress will have to prove to the panel of judges that she has the talent, the looks, and especially the lungs to be a true “Scream Queen.”

Mentoring the hopefuls through the exacting process will be former model-turned-actress and horror film alum Jamie King (“My Bloody Valentine,” “The Tripper”). The cast will also be taught by Hollywood’s toughest acting coach, John Homa, and have their performances directed by Tim Sullivan (“2001 Maniacs,” “Driftwood”).

“Horror films continue to dominate the pop culture landscape and are some of the biggest film franchises out there,” said Jeff Olde, EVP Original Programming and Production, VH1. “Following the success of last season’s winner Tanedra Howard in Saw VI, we’re looking forward to working with Lionsgate to find the next great horror actress.”

“Real opportunities to break into feature films are rare in acting competitions and it’s great to be able to deliver on that promise,” said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate’s president of television programming and production. “We’ve enjoyed a terrific collaboration with VH1 on `Scream Queens,’ and look forward to building on the success of the series with even more exciting challenges in Season 2.”

“Tanedra did an amazing job in `Saw VI,'” said Jason Constantine, Lionsgate’s president of acquisitions and co-productions who oversees the `Saw’ films, “and we’re excited about giving another deserving newcomer a role in `Saw 3D.'”

Joke Fincioen and Biagio Messina are executive producers for Joke Productions. Jim Ackerman, Dave Hamilton and Jeff Olde are executive producers for VH1.