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You wanna play games, motherfucker? Alright. I'll play.
— Marcus shouting to the Jigsaw copycat [src]


Marcus Banks is a fictional character from the Saw franchise. He serves as the deuteragonist of Spiral.

He was portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson.

Quick Answers

What role does Marcus Banks play in the Saw franchise? toggle section
In the Saw franchise, Marcus Banks, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, appears in 'Spiral' as the deuteragonist. A former professional basketball player, Marcus becomes embroiled in the deadly games of a Jigsaw copycat. Despite his contempt for corrupt police officers, he remains committed to saving them, driven by his sense of responsibility.
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Who portrayed the character of Marcus Banks in Spiral? toggle section
In the Saw franchise's movie Spiral, the role of Marcus Banks was played by Samuel L. Jackson, an acclaimed American actor and film producer.
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What was Marcus Banks' profession before becoming the Police Chief? toggle section
Marcus Banks began his career in the Metropolitan Police Department, rising through the ranks to become the Police Chief. His son, Ezekiel Banks, followed in his footsteps and also joined the department.
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How did Marcus Banks' relationship with his son, Ezekiel Banks, evolve over time? toggle section
Marcus Banks, once a distant father, developed a complex relationship with his son, Ezekiel Banks. Both served in the Metropolitan Police Department, with Marcus reaching the rank of Police Chief. Their bond was tested when Ezekiel exposed a scandal within the department. In a critical moment, Ezekiel prioritized saving his father's life over apprehending a criminal. After being saved, Marcus showed faith in Ezekiel's detective skills by encouraging him to chase the criminal.
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Why did Marcus Banks not want his son to join the Police Department? toggle section
Marcus Banks, from the Saw film series, was reluctant for his son, Ezekiel Banks, to join the Police Department due to his personal experiences. Marcus had a strained relationship with his work-focused father, a pattern he repeated with Ezekiel. His actions as a police officer isolated him from his peers, and he understood the job's risks. His fears were validated when Ezekiel was shot as his colleagues denied him backup. Marcus was also aware of departmental corruption, intensifying his worries.
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Biography[]

Early Life[]

During his childhood, Marcus had a distant father who only cared about his work, he would later treat his son, Ezekiel Banks, the same way, rarely giving him some fatherly advice. He would eventually join the Metropolitan Police Department, becoming the Police Chief. His son would eventually also join the Police Department against Marcus's wishes. (Spiral)

Covering up Crimes[]

Spiral Marcus Banks Angie Garza Flashback

Marcus talking to Angie about Zeke turning in Pete

When a law known as Article 8 expanded the powers of law enforcement in order to fight crime, which resulted in many corrupt police officers and detectives taking advantage of this to get away with brutality, both Marcus and his friend Angie Garza covered up these crimes to shield the officers from punishment as Marcus believed the streets became safer this way.

After Ezekiel witnessed and exposed one of Peter Dunleavy's crimes to the public, the corruption within the police force was exposed which worried Marcus not only because Zeke would lose the people's trust but also his son would now be labeled as a snitch.

Marcus Banks taken away flashback

Marcus is taken away after beating up Fitch

Zeke requested backup but Fitch and Drury refused to help him due to his snitch status, resulting in Zeke getting shot, the Paramedic arrives to help Zeke and Police Chief Marcus Banks arrives to find out who refused to help his son, He later found out it was Fitch and beat him for it. Sometime later Marcus retired from being the chief of police. (Spiral)

Investigation and Abduction[]

MarcusBanks1

Marcus investigates in the old factory.

Twelve years later, his son started to investigate a copycat of the Jigsaw Killer along with his rookie partner William Schenk. Once Ezekiel arrived at their home, Marcus talked to him about going over the case together before leaving. Marcus later received a text from his son's phone that said to meet up with him on an old soap factory on 11th, in reality this text was sent by William Schenk, who was the killer all along.

Capture Marcus

Marcus is abducted by William

Once Marcus arrived at the factory, he started to look around the place with both his gun and a flashlight, there he found a wall that had written the word "Do you want to play a game Chief Banks?". As Marcus went deeper into the factory, he eventually found a room with a typewriter and a puppet, just as he started to send a text about his findings he was abducted by William. (Spiral)

Being "Tested"[]

Spiral-trailer-header

Marcus placed in his trap.

Marcus was placed in a trap where he was being restrained in the air by a harness as his blood is also slowly being drained with IV drips. William then enters the room along with his son Ezekiel who had just started a test himself as William planned to recruit him so they could kill more dirty cops, once there William reveals to Zeke his father's corrupt history covering up crimes. Marcus was actually part of his son's final test, as Zeke has to choose whether to use his father's gun's last bullet to either hit a target that will save Marcus but allow Schenk to escape using an elevator, or to kill Schenk and let his father bleed to death. Ezekiel decides to shoot the target above Marcus, causing his restraints to loosen and lowering him to the ground, saving him. (Spiral)

Death[]

MarcusBanksKilled

Marcus is shot by the SWAT team.

After being released, Marcus told Ezekiel to go after William, when his son started beating the killer, an arriving SWAT team found and cut open the door of the room they were in. Unfortunately, William had lied about the trap, as Marcus's body started being raised by the trap. The SWAT team kicked down the door and held Ezekiel at gunpoint while the trap moved Marcus to its final phase, with the search lights behind him being turned on and a shotgun barrel sticking out as Marcus's right arm was being raised, giving the SWAT team the impression that he was going to shoot them. The SWAT team then responded by promptly shooting Marcus to death, much to Ezekiel's terror, while William escaped unnoticed. (Spiral)

Personality[]

Marcus was distant father and didn't spend much time with his son Zeke Banks. Marcus was covering up crimes but could care less about what would happen. But still cared about him deeply when Zeke was shot and Marcus found out it was Fitch's fault for letting Zeke get shot, Marcus's amendment started beating Fitch for it. This shows that Marcus would show aggression when knowing that someone hurt someone close to him. After his son freed him, Marcus still didn't learn his lesson as he told Zeke to go after William.

Trivia[]

  • It's possible that because of Marcus's actions of covering up crimes with Article 8, this possibly allowed for another corrupt detective Brad Halloran who might have been one of his employees to get away with corruption
  • His name could possibly be a reference to the former professional basketball player of the same name.

Appearances and References []

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