"Saw XI Delayed: Lionsgate and Producer Disputes"

It's a surprising turn of events for fans of the *Saw* franchise: the highly anticipated *Saw XI* has hit a major snag and will not be hitting theaters this fall as initially planned. The delay comes as a disappointment to many, but it's not due to creative disagreements or script issues.

According to *Saw XI* screenwriter Patrick Melton in an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, the project has been stalled since May, with no updates forthcoming. "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 explained. He and his writing partner Marcus Dunstan had submitted a draft of the script in the spring of 2024, nearly a year ago. The delay, Melton revealed, stems from "inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just can't quite get on the same page."

Originally, frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert was set to helm *Saw XI*, with the film slated for a September 2024 release. However, the project faced a year-long delay, pushing the release to September 2025. This shift came after the resounding success of *Saw X*, the 10th installment, which revitalized the franchise by grossing over $120 million worldwide during its theatrical run. Fans had hoped the delay was to enhance the storytelling, especially given the momentum from *Saw X*.

Adding to the frustration is the fact that *Saw XI* was poised to tackle a contemporary and relevant theme. Although specific plot details remain under wraps, Melton hinted that the film's narrative would echo the themes of *Saw VI*, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Gruetert. In *Saw VI*, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), exacted revenge on health insurance executives. Melton expressed hope for the film's eventual realization, stating, "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."

He elaborated on the film's potential impact, saying, "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 storyline could have offered a fresh take on current societal issues, but with the project's uncertain future, fans may never see how the *Saw* franchise would navigate these themes anew.