"Saw XI Delayed: Lionsgate and Producer Disputes"

It's hard to fathom, but the iconic Saw franchise appears to be hitting a pause, with the much-anticipated Saw XI now officially delayed. Originally slated for a fall release, fans will have to wait longer as the project has been stalled, and it won't be hitting theaters as planned.

This delay isn't due to creative differences, according to Saw XI screenwriter Patrick Melton, who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter. "We haven’t heard anything since May," Melton revealed. "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 had submitted a draft of the script back in spring 2024, nearly a year ago. The hold-up, Melton explained, stems from "inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just can’t quite get on the same page."

The project had initially been set to roll out in September 2024 under the direction of frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert. However, the film's release was pushed back an entire year to September 2025, leaving fans disappointed. Many had hoped the delay would enhance the storytelling, especially following the success of Saw X, the 10th installment that revitalized the franchise, earning over $120 million globally during its theatrical run. This success had executives eager to move forward with Saw XI.

Adding to the frustration, Saw XI was poised to tackle a relevant and timely topic. While plot details 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 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." The potential for the Saw franchise to revisit these themes in today's context would have been fascinating, but it seems we may never get to see how they would have approached it differently.