It's hard to believe I'm saying this, but it appears to be game over for the Saw franchise, at least for the time being. Production on the upcoming Saw XI has officially been put on hold, and the film will not be released this fall as originally planned.
However, the delay is not due to creative issues. "We haven't received any updates since May," Saw XI screenwriter Patrick Melton explained to The Hollywood Reporter. "The hold-up is purely at the management level and has nothing to do with the creative team. There are larger forces at play."
According to the report, Melton and his writing partner Marcus Dunstan submitted a draft of the script in spring 2024—nearly a year ago. Melton added, "The reason it's stalled is simply due to disagreements between producers and Lionsgate. They haven't been able to reach a consensus."
Franchise veteran director Kevin Greutert was attached to the project back in December 2023, when it was scheduled for a September 2024 release. Fans were disappointed when the film was pushed back an entire year, with a new release set for September 2025. Many hoped the delay would ultimately benefit the story, especially after the strong box office performance of Saw X. The tenth installment revitalized the franchise financially, earning over $120 million worldwide during its theatrical run, which naturally made executives eager to move forward with Saw XI.
What makes the situation more frustrating is that the eleventh film was expected to tackle a timely subject. Although specific plot details for Saw XI remain under wraps, Melton compared its storyline to that of Saw VI, which he and Dunstan wrote and Greutert directed. In that film, the lead character John Kramer, also known as Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), seeks revenge against a group of health insurance executives.
"Saw XI may or may not get made, but we have a very relevant story that deserves to be told," Melton told THR.
"It explores themes similar to Saw VI, where an ordinary citizen feels powerless and frustrated by a system, and John Kramer takes matters into his own hands." It would have been fascinating to see the franchise revisit this narrative approach and adapt it for today's world—but unfortunately, we may never get the chance.
