"Saw XI Delayed: Lionsgate and Producer Clashes"

It's hard to believe, but it looks like the curtains might be closing on the Saw franchise, at least temporarily. The much-anticipated Saw XI has hit a snag 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, who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, the project has been stalled at the managerial level. "We haven’t heard anything since May," Melton shared. "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 handed in a draft of the script back in spring 2024, nearly a year ago. Melton explained the holdup: "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."

The project initially had frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert attached and was slated for a September 2024 release. However, fans were disappointed when the film's release was pushed back an entire year to September 2025. Many hoped this delay would enhance the story, especially following the success of Saw X. The 10th installment revitalized the franchise, pulling in over $120 million globally during its theatrical run, which naturally spurred excitement for Saw XI.

What's particularly disappointing is that Saw XI was poised to tackle a relevant contemporary issue. Although plot details for Saw XI remain under wraps, Melton drew parallels to Saw VI, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Gruetert. In Saw VI, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), exacts revenge on 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 told 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 adapt them to today's context — but unfortunately, it appears we might never get the chance.