Saw XI Scrapped: Writer Reveals It Would’ve Rivaled the Franchise’s Best Sequel!

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As a passionate moviegoer, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Saw XI, especially after hearing Patrick Melton reveal that it would have continued the franchise’s tradition of thought-provoking social commentary, much like Saw VI, a film highly regarded within the series. However, my excitement was dampened when the film’s initial release date in September 2024 was pushed back to September 26, 2025. Unfortunately, as industry reports started trickling in March 2025, it became clear that Saw XI had been canceled.

Melton shared that since the spring of 2024, when he and writing partner Marcus Dunstan submitted our script, there has been zero progress on the film. The production halt appears to stem from internal disagreements between producers and Lionsgate, rather than creative issues. This unfortunate squabble effectively buried the sequel, despite the critical and commercial success of Saw X in 2023, which not only revitalized the franchise but also raked in a substantial $112 million at the global box office against a budget of just $13 million.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Melton expressed enthusiasm for the potential production of “Saw XI“, stating that it holds a compelling narrative, one he hopes will come to fruition. The storyline echoes themes present in “Saw VI“, where ordinary citizens feel powerless and frustrated, only for John Kramer to take action. This narrative style reflects the social commentary found in the 2009 release of “Saw VI“, which focused on health insurance executives denying coverage to patients.

Melton made it clear that the delay in the project has nothing to do with creativity or any other aspect. Instead, there are complex issues at hand, such as disagreements between producers and Lionsgate. The report from March 2025 suggests that these disputes have escalated significantly, with the project being labeled as “completely dead” for nearly a year. The conflict allegedly started in January 2024, with one producer pushing forward while another created obstacles that eventually halted production entirely.

How Saw VI Set a Template for Socially Conscious Horror That Saw XI Hoped to Follow

In the 2009 sequel, Saw VI, the storyline took a significant shift for the franchise. Instead of just the usual intricate death traps and ethical dilemmas, it introduced thought-provoking social commentary. The main character, William Easton (Peter Outerbridge), was an insurance executive who often refused coverage to people like John Kramer (Tobin Bell) due to cost considerations. This focus on the healthcare insurance industry mirrored public discontent with a system that seemed more concerned about profits than patients’ lives. Although it didn’t do well at the box office because of competition from Paranormal Activity, this theme struck a chord with critics, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the healthcare system.

The current issues with the making of ‘Saw XI’ are especially unfortunate given the franchise’s context, as it follows the successful attempt by longtime franchise director Kevin Greutert in ‘Saw X’ to revitalize the series. In ‘Saw X’, he opted for a fresh perspective by delving into an earlier phase of John Kramer’s timeline, detailing his desperate quest for experimental cancer treatment in Mexico that culminated in gruesome retribution against fraudulent doctors. The film’s positive reception suggested a promising new path for a series that had been finding it challenging to stay relevant after multiple sequels.

The potential scrapping of Saw XI casts doubt on the future sustainability of the Saw franchise. Although Lionsgate hasn’t formally announced the cancellation or removal of Saw XI from their release schedule, rumors suggest that the film’s production has completely fallen apart. If the reported producer disputes can’t be reconciled, it appears as though Jigsaw’s game might have finally reached its conclusion.

Saw X is currently available for streaming on Starz.

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2025-03-24 12:06