Headline: A Behind-the-Scenes Battle Halts the Release of Saw XI
The future of the Saw franchise is in limbo. Despite the massive success of Saw X, the sequel, Saw XI, has been officially stalled and has not been released as originally scheduled. According to reports, this is not a creative issue, but rather a “managerial-level” problem stemming from a serious “inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate.”
Screenwriter Patrick Melton, who penned the script for Saw XI, revealed that he and his writing partner submitted a draft over a year ago but have heard nothing back. The script for Saw XI was meant to pick up just 30 seconds after the end of Saw X, with the villain Cecilia Pederson (Synnøve Macody Lund) returning alongside fan-favorite Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor).
The film’s plot was reportedly going to tap into the same themes as Saw VI, with Jigsaw targeting a group of corrupt health insurance executives. However, disagreements between producers and the studio have prevented the film from moving forward, and it’s unclear if it will ever be made.
A New Game is on the Horizon
Despite the bad news, Lionsgate has downplayed rumors of the franchise being over. In a statement released through the persona of Billy the Puppet, the studio said, “I’ve seen the rumors. They say it’s Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over.”
This statement, combined with the news that the franchise has been sold to Blumhouse, suggests a new era for Saw is on the horizon. While this specific version of Saw XI may be dead, the franchise is likely to be rebooted under new management.
