Saw XI 'Stalled at a Managerial Level' Due to Lionsgate and Producer Tensions

It’s official: the Saw franchise is on hold, at least for now. The upcoming Saw XI, initially slated for a fall release, has been indefinitely stalled. This isn't a creative roadblock, according to screenwriter Patrick Melton, who told The Hollywood Reporter that the delay stems from "higher-level things at play," specifically, disagreements between producers and Lionsgate. Melton and his writing partner, Marcus Dunstan, submitted a script draft nearly a year ago, in Spring 2024. The issue, Melton clarifies, is purely managerial; the creative aspects are complete.

The stalled Saw XI was poised to tackle a timely and relevant theme. While plot details remain under wraps, Melton draws parallels to Saw VI, which he and Dunstan wrote and Gruetert directed. Saw VI focused on Jigsaw's revenge against health insurance executives. Melton hopes Saw XI will see the light of day, emphasizing its timely narrative: "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 exploration of this theme in the current socio-political climate remains uncertain given the current production standstill.