"Saw XI Delayed: Lionsgate and Producer Disputes"

It's hard to believe, but the iconic Saw franchise is facing a significant setback. The much-anticipated Saw XI, originally slated for a fall release, has been officially stalled and will not meet its planned debut. This unexpected delay has left fans and industry insiders alike in a state of shock and disappointment.

According to Saw XI screenwriter Patrick Melton, the issue isn't with the creative aspects of the project. "We haven’t heard anything since May," Melton revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. "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, along with his writing partner Marcus Dunstan, submitted a draft of the script back in spring 2024, nearly a year ago. The root of the problem, Melton explained, lies in the ongoing disputes between producers and Lionsgate. "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 had initially been set to hit theaters in September 2024, with frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert at the helm. However, the film's release was pushed back an entire year to September 2025, much to the dismay of dedicated fans. This delay came on the heels of the box office triumph of Saw X, the 10th installment, which revitalized the franchise by pulling in over $120 million globally. The success of Saw X had everyone eagerly anticipating what Saw XI would bring to the table.

Adding to the frustration is the fact that Saw XI was poised to tackle a highly relevant theme. While specific plot details remain under wraps, Melton hinted that the storyline would resonate with the same intensity as Saw VI, a film he and Dunstan wrote and Gruetert directed. In Saw VI, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), exacted 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 Saw XI to explore these themes in today's context had fans excited about the direction the franchise might take. Unfortunately, with the current stalemate, it seems we may never see this vision come to life.