"Saw XI Stalled: Lionsgate and Producer Tensions"

It's hard to believe, but the Saw franchise is hitting pause, at least temporarily. The much-anticipated Saw XI has been officially delayed and won't be hitting theaters this fall as initially planned.

This delay isn't due to creative differences. 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 in the spring of 2024, nearly a year ago. Melton elaborated, saying, "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, frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert was set to helm the project back in December 2023, with a planned release in September 2024. However, fans were disheartened when the film's release was pushed back an entire year to September 2025. Many hoped this delay would serve the story well, especially following the success of Saw X. The 10th installment had breathed new life into the franchise, raking in over $120 million globally during its theatrical run, which naturally spurred executives to fast-track Saw XI.

Adding to the disappointment, Saw XI was poised to tackle a relevant contemporary issue. While specific plot details remain under wraps, Melton hinted at similarities to Saw VI, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Gruetert. In Saw VI, lead character John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), targets health insurance executives for revenge.

"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.

"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." It would be fascinating to see the Saw franchise revisit these themes and explore them in the context of today's world — but unfortunately, it looks like we might never get the chance.