"Saw XI Delayed: Lionsgate and Producer Disputes"

It's hard to believe, but it seems that the curtain might be falling on the Saw franchise, at least temporarily. The eagerly anticipated Saw XI has hit a major roadblock and will not be hitting theaters this fall as initially planned.

This delay isn't due to creative differences, though. According to Saw XI screenwriter Patrick Melton in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, "We haven’t heard anything since May. It’s stalled at a managerial level. It has nothing to do with the creative or anything else. There’s higher-level things at play." Melton and his writing partner Marcus Dunstan turned in a draft of the script back in spring 2024, nearly a year ago now. Melton elaborated, "The reason it’s held up is just, there’s inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just can’t quite get on the same page."

Originally slated for a September 2024 release, the film was set to be directed by frequent franchise collaborator Kevin Gruetert. However, fans were left disappointed when the release was pushed back an entire year to September 2025. After the box office triumph of Saw X, which grossed over $120 million worldwide, expectations were high for Saw XI. The 10th film had revitalized the franchise, leaving executives eager to capitalize on its success with a follow-up.

What makes this delay even more frustrating is the relevance of Saw XI's intended storyline. While specific plot details remain under wraps, Melton hinted that the film would echo the themes of Saw VI, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Gruetert. In Saw VI, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), targets a group of health insurance executives. Melton expressed hope for the project, stating, "Saw XI may or may not be made, but we have a very timely story in it, and I hope it gets made just because of that."

He further explained, "It taps into the same themes of Saw VI, where you’re a citizen, you feel angry and frustrated with something, you feel like you can’t do anything, and John Kramer’s going to do it." Given the current state of the world, it would be fascinating to see how the Saw franchise would revisit these themes and adapt them for today's audience. Unfortunately, it appears we may never get the chance to find out.