Melton emphasized the importance of the film’s timely story, which reflects themes from Saw VI (2009)
The highly anticipated Saw XI, the latest installment in the iconic horror franchise, is facing uncertainty as progress on the project has been put on hold. Writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, who have contributed to the series since Saw IV (2007), recently revealed that they have received no updates since submitting a draft in the spring of 2024.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Melton shared his frustration, explaining that the project’s stall is not related to creative issues but rather internal conflicts at a managerial level. “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 said.
Despite these setbacks, Lionsgate had initially announced a planned September 2024 release date for Saw XI, with Kevin Greutert, who directed Saw X (2023), returning as the director. However, reports indicate that the release has now been delayed by a year, and the future of the film remains uncertain.
Melton emphasized the importance of the film’s timely story, which reflects themes from Saw VI (2009). “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,” he explained. While he remains hopeful the film will be made, he acknowledged that “producers and the studio simply aren’t on the same page.”
The Saw franchise, known for its disturbing and thought-provoking themes, has become a staple in horror cinema. The last film, Saw X (2023), saw the return of Tobin Bell as the iconic killer, Jigsaw (John Kramer), along with Shawnee Smith reprising her role as his apprentice, Amanda Young. The film was well-received by fans, further fueling speculation about the potential for Saw XI to continue the saga.
In November 2023, Greutert opened up about the possibility of a sequel, revealing that several ideas had already been considered. He noted that one potential version of the story would pick up immediately after the events of Saw X, though he emphasized that it was too early to make any concrete decisions. “There are so many directions we could go, but for me, there’s no obvious one coming out of this film,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I really wanted it to feel like a kind of final send-off for the Jigsaw character, but never say never.”
While Lionsgate officially confirmed plans for Saw XI in December 2023, along with a September 27, 2024, release date, the latest developments suggest that the future of the franchise is far from certain. Fans of the series will have to wait and see whether Saw XI will ever make it to the big screen.
