Inside Saw's future as 'disagreements' over film left horror franchise 'dead'
The Saw films were a staple of 2000s horror, introducing fans to the twisted, torturous traps of the iconic Jigsaw killer.
Directed by James Wan and co-written with Leigh Whannell, the first film was released in 2004 in which serial killer Jigsaw imprisoned Adam Stanheight ( Whannell) and Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) with the purpose of subjecting them to a series of puzzles to escape.
Across the franchise, Jigsaw – or John Kramer (Tobin Bell), as the jaw-dropping ending of the first film reveals – has attracted acolytes who have continued his twisted games spanning 10 films so far.
Released in 2023, Saw X took us back in time to the period between Saw and Saw II in which Kramer desperately seeks life-saving treatment following his cancer diagnosis, but is instead duped by con artists and enacts his bloody revenge.
Soon after its release, an 11th film was announced, but the production of Saw XI has been anything but smooth with delays, a cancellation, and rumours of behind-the-scenes drama.
With a potential lifeline for the legendary horror series now in the mix, we take a look at what exactly is going on with Saw XI.
Following the runaway success of Saw X, it was confirmed in December 2023 that Saw XI was on its way.
Saw X landed the highest Rotten Tomatoes rating for any film in the franchise, grossing a whopping $125million (£92.3m) worldwide.
It was announced that Kevin Greutert, who directed the 10th film, would be returning for Saw XI, and Bell would also be reprising his role as the iconic John Kramer.
Co-writer Patrick Melton – who penned Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, and Saw 3D – teased what fans could expect from the 'very timely' plot of the 11th installment.
'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,' he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Given Bell's return, it seems the 11th film was set to be another prequel set between the events of Saw and Saw II, which could have meant we would see Shawnee Smith's Amanda Young hit the big screen again.
A post-credit scene from Saw X also saw Costas Mandylor reprise his role as police detective turned Jigsaw disciple Mark Hoffman, which could mean he was set to star in Saw XI though this was never confirmed.
Speaking to SFX magazine, producer Oren Koules hinted that it would be a direct follow-up to the events of Saw X.
'Cecilia is still alive and Tobin and Shawnee are in a foreign country still. So that, to me, would be the natural place to take at least the next one,' he revealed.
Saw XI was originally set to be released on September 27 of the same year, but was delayed until September this year, it was announced in April 2024.
Never Let Go, starring Halle Berry, took the film's original release date.
Two Lionsgate titles saw their release dates change in the same announcement – the remake of The Crow and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
After a period of silence over the film, sources told Bloody Disgusting that Saw XI was 'totally, 100% dead' due to disagreements at studio level.
The report, released on March 27, claimed 'everything went sideways in January 2024' due to producers fighting.
'It's totally dead,' the insider said. 'It's 100% over. Almost a year now.'
They claimed that one producer attempted to 'plough forward' with production, while the other 'put up roadblocks' that halted production.
'[Lionsgate] didn't have anyone to smooth over the disagreement,' the source added, claiming 'greed and ego won.'
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Melton confirmed the claims that the movie has 'stalled at a managerial level.'
'The reason it's held up is just, there's inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just can't quite get on the same page,' he said.
He continued: 'It has nothing to do with the creative or anything else. There's higher-level things at play.'
Saw – Netflix and Prime Video
Saw II – Netflix
Saw III – Netflix
Saw IV – Available to rent via Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store
Saw V – Available to rent via Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store
Saw VI – Available to rent via Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store
Saw: 3D – Available to rent via Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store
Jigsaw – Available to rent via Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store
Spiral: From The Book of Saw – Available to rent via Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store
Saw X – Netflix
The writer claimed he and writing partner Marcus Dunstan turned in a draft of the script in 2024, but that he hadn't 'heard anything' since then.
Greutert also addressed the apparent cancellation in a Reddit post, writing: 'Let's just say that this past year+ has been among the saddest and most frustrating of my life.'
A week after the damning news of the Saw XI cancellation, fans were offered an unusual glimmer of hope.
The franchise's killer mascot, Billy the Puppet, posted a cryptic statement suggesting the game is far from over.
'I've seen the rumors. They say it's Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over,' the tricycle-riding puppet said in a statement shared by Lionsgate.
But at the same time, it was announced that Saw XI had been completely removed from Lionsgate's release schedule, seemingly sealing its fate.
Which brings us to June 4, 2025, when Deadline reported that Blumhouse is allegedly in the process of acquiring perspective rights to Twisted Pictures' portion of Saw.
If the deal goes ahead, Blumhouse would take over the ownership of the franchise rights from Twisted Pictures owners Mark Burg and Oren Koules.
Lionsgate would still be involved in the project, seeing as the company owns 50% of the franchise. More Trending
If Blumhouse takes over the Saw franchise, and therefore Saw XI, it would mean Saw is reunited with co-creator James Wan following Blumhouse's merger with his company Atomic Monster.
It is unknown what stage the deal is at, as Lionsgate, Twisted Pictures, and Blumhouse have not yet addressed the report.
It could mean that Saw XI has been brought back from the dead by Blumhouse, famed for titles such as Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Insidious, Sinister, and many more.
Metro has contacted representatives for Lionsgate and Blumhouse for comment
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