"Saw XI Delayed: Lionsgate and Producer Clashes"

It's a shocking development for fans of the *Saw* franchise: the much-anticipated *Saw XI* has been officially stalled and will not meet its scheduled fall release. This news comes as a major blow to enthusiasts who have been eagerly awaiting the next installment in the iconic horror series.

However, the delay is not due to creative differences. According to *Saw XI* screenwriter Patrick Melton in an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, the project has been halted at the managerial level. "We haven’t heard anything since May," Melton stated. "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 a draft of the script in spring 2024, nearly a year ago. The reason for the hold-up, Melton explained, is due to "inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just can’t quite get on the same page."

Kevin Gruetert, a frequent director of the franchise, was set to helm *Saw XI* back in December 2023, with an original release date of September 2024. The film was later delayed by a year, pushing the release to September 2025. This delay left fans disappointed, though many hoped it was to ensure the quality of the story, especially following the success of *Saw X*. The 10th film revitalized the franchise, earning over $120 million globally during its theatrical run, which undoubtedly fueled the anticipation for *Saw XI*.

Adding to the frustration is the fact that *Saw XI* was poised to address a pertinent issue. While specific plot details remain under wraps, Melton drew comparisons to *Saw VI*, which he and Dunstan also wrote and which Gruetert directed. In *Saw VI*, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), targets a group of health insurance executives.

"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 expressed to *THR*. He elaborated that the new film would echo the 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."

Given the current state of the world, it would be fascinating to see the *Saw* franchise revisit these themes and explore them in a new light. However, with the project currently stalled, it remains uncertain whether fans will ever get to see this story unfold on the big screen.