It's hard to believe, but it's official: the Saw franchise is hitting pause, at least for the foreseeable future. The much-anticipated Saw XI, which was set to thrill audiences this fall, has been officially delayed. This news comes as a shock to fans who were eagerly awaiting the next installment in the iconic horror series.
However, the delay isn't due to creative differences. According to Saw XI screenwriter Patrick Melton, speaking to 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 submitted their script draft back in spring 2024, and the project has been stuck in limbo ever since. "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," Melton explained.
Originally, frequent franchise director Kevin Greutert was set to helm Saw XI, which was slated for a September 2024 release. The delay pushed it 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 film in the series, which revitalized the franchise by grossing over $120 million worldwide during its theatrical run.
What adds to the disappointment is that Saw XI was poised to tackle a relevant and timely topic. Though specifics about the plot remain under wraps, Melton hinted that it would resonate with themes similar to those in Saw VI, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Greutert. In Saw VI, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), targeted health insurance executives. Melton shared with THR, "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 elaborated, "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." This approach would have been a fascinating continuation of the Saw series, reflecting current societal frustrations. Unfortunately, with the current halt in production, it's uncertain whether fans will ever get to see this storyline unfold.
