"Saw XI Delayed: Lionsgate and Producer Disputes"

It's a surprising twist in the tale of horror: the Saw franchise is taking an unexpected pause. The eagerly awaited Saw XI, initially slated for a fall release, has hit a snag and will not be hitting theaters as planned. This development comes as a shock to fans who have been eagerly anticipating the next installment in this iconic series.

However, the delay isn't due to any creative shortcomings. According to Saw XI screenwriter Patrick Melton in an interview with 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, along with his writing partner Marcus Dunstan, submitted their script draft 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 initially had frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert attached and was set for a September 2024 release. However, the film's release was pushed back a full year to September 2025, leaving fans disheartened. Many hoped this delay would enhance the story, especially after the financial triumph of Saw X. The 10th film revitalized the franchise, pulling in over $120 million globally and sparking excitement for Saw XI.

Adding to the disappointment, Saw XI was poised to tackle a pressing contemporary issue. While plot specifics remain under wraps, Melton hinted that the film would resonate similarly to Saw VI, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Gruetert. In Saw VI, the protagonist John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), targets health insurance executives for their misdeeds.

"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. He further 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 narrative direction would have been intriguing, especially in light of current global issues, but unfortunately, it seems we may never see it come to fruition.