‘Saw XI’ reportedly at risk after being stalled for over a year

Saw XI is reportedly being delayed due to what one of the writers on the film describes as “intra-squabbling” between the producers of the film and studio Lionsgate.

• READ MORE: Saw X review – Jigsaw returns for more violent mayhem

Beginning in 2004, the Saw films have defined an era in horror, following the exploits of serial killer Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), who tortures his victims by trapping them in deadly ‘games’ based around psychological choices. While interest had dwindled with previous instalments, 2023’s Saw X was a box office hit, prompting an 11th film to go into production.

In 2023, Lionsgate pencilled in the film for a September 2024 release, but the studio ultimately delayed it by a year to September 26, 2025. According to The Hollywood Reporter, however, progress has been stalled for some time.

Speaking to Patrick Melton, co-screenwriter of the new film and a franchise veteran, “zero progress” has been made since he and writing partner Marcus Dunstan submitted a draft in spring of last year.

“We haven’t heard anything since May,” he revealed. “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”.

When asked what those things are, he explains: “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”. When talking about the themes of the film, Melton says that there is a timely story planned.

Saw VI had Jigsaw target health insurance executives who refused him care. The film came back into the headlines this year due to its similarity to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which resulted in authorities charging suspect Luigi Mangione with the crime.

Melton confirmed: “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”.

Lionsgate did not comment on the piece, and at the time of writing Saw XI is still schedule to hit UK cinemas on September 26. Last October, Saw, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and other iconic horror franchises come to Fortnite for a 2024 Halloween event.

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