"Saw XI Delayed: Lionsgate and Producer Clashes"

It's hard to believe, but the 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 submitted their script draft 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 move forward with frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert at the helm, announced back in December 2023 with a planned September 2024 release. However, the film's delay pushed the release 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 installment, which revitalized the franchise by earning over $120 million globally during its theatrical run, prompting executives to eagerly push forward with Saw XI.

What makes the delay even more frustrating is that Saw XI was poised to tackle a relevant and timely topic. While specific plot details remain under wraps, Melton hinted that the film's narrative would echo themes from Saw VI, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Gruetert. In Saw VI, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), targets 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 revisit these themes in today's context would have been fascinating, but with the current delays, it remains uncertain if fans will ever see this story unfold on the big screen.