It's a tough pill to swallow, but it seems the curtains may have fallen on the Saw franchise for the time being. The much-anticipated Saw XI, slated for a fall release, has hit an unexpected snag and is officially on hold. This isn't due to any creative shortcomings, but rather a managerial standstill.
According to screenwriter Patrick Melton's statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the project has been silent 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 explained. He and his writing partner Marcus Dunstan submitted a script draft in spring 2024, nearly a year ago now. The delay stems from "inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just can't quite get on the same page," Melton added.
The project initially had frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert on board and was set for a September 2024 release. However, the film's delay pushed the date to September 2025, leaving fans disappointed yet hopeful that the extra time would enhance the story. This hope was fueled by the success of Saw X, the 10th installment, which revitalized the franchise, earning over $120 million globally and prompting excitement for Saw XI.
What makes this delay particularly frustrating is that Saw XI was poised to tackle a relevant and timely theme. While specific plot details remain under wraps, Melton likened the film's narrative to that of Saw VI, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Gruetert. In Saw VI, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), sought vengeance against health insurance executives.
"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," Melton shared with THR. He highlighted the film's themes, which echo those of Saw VI: "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, exploring these themes again could have offered a fresh and compelling narrative for the franchise. Unfortunately, it appears we may never see this vision come to life.
