Only a few days ago, there was chatter about Saw XI being totally scrapped after an anonymous source confirmed this. Not long after, Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, the scribes attached to the next installment in the highly successful Saw franchise, reacted to the disappointing news via The Hollywood Reporter. Apparently, no progress has been made on the film since the writing partners turned in a draft back in the spring of 2024.

According to Melton, who has been involved with the franchise since 2007’s Saw IV:

“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.”

Speaking of the higher levels, Melton added that there’s “inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate” as “they just can’t quite get on the same page,” hence the setback in Saw XI’s development.

Despite the not-so-promising update, the screenwriter expressed hopes for the pic to move forward, especially because “we have a very timely story in it.” Teasing what the film would’ve explored, which relates to the sixth chapter in the franchise, Melton said:

“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.”

‘Saw XI’ Has Been Delayed Before

In December 2023, Lionsgate confirmed Saw XI on social media with Kevin Greutert, who helmed Saw VI, Saw 3D, and Saw X, attached to direct for a September 2024 release. However, on April 9, 2024, the film was delayed to September 26, 2025. It remains unclear if Greutert is still attached to Saw XI, especially since it’s on hold.

Saw XI was intended to be a direct sequel to Saw X, which did well at the box office, earning over $125 million against a production budget of $13 million. Also, the premise of the new installment has been compared to Saw VI, released in 2009, and in which health insurance executives were targeted by John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (Tobin Bell).

In other Saw news, the franchise began with the 2004 film of the same name, which quickly became a favorite among the horror crowd. In no time, it expanded from just films to other media, including a TV series, video games, comic books, clothing, and toys, among others. Not to mention, it is one of the highest-grossing horror film franchises of all-time, created by award-winning filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell.

Saw XI will unfortunately not be released as scheduled.

via Collider