Saw XI’s writer, Patrick Melton, recently told The Hollywood Reporter that the horror sequel was dealing with “inter-squabbling.”
Saw XI has been officially removed from Lionsgate’s release schedule, but it does not mean the franchise is gone.
The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal that the planned sequel to the horror franchise, which was scheduled to enter theaters on September 26, has been postponed. This comes after Patrick Melton, the film’s writer, told THR in a piece published last week that there was “inter-squabbling” between the producers and Lionsgate.
On Monday, Lionsgate released a witty message from Billy the Puppet, the ventriloquist dummy used in the movie by the character John Kramer, aka Jigsaw. “I’m aware of the rumors. They say it’s game over. You should know me better than that. “The game never ends.”
The Strangers: Chapter 2 is currently scheduled for a wide theater release on September 26. Madelaine Petsch returns for the sequel after starring in The Strangers: Chapter 1, which grossed $48 million worldwide. This is the second installment in a proposed stand-alone trilogy relaunching the brand, which began with the 2008 film The Strangers, starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman. “I promise that we’re making The Strangers: Chapter 2 as terrifying as possible, and I can’t wait to show you on Sept. 26,” says Petsch.
Producers Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon add, “Like Strangers fans everywhere, we’re excited for Chapter 2 – it’s the kind of picture that audiences will be watching through their fingers. Bringing it to theaters during Halloween is ideal, and we can’t wait for everyone to see where the tale goes next.”
Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath also star in the new film, which was directed by Renny Harlin and written by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland. Solomon, Canton, Christopher Milburn, Gary Raskin, Alastair Burlingham, and Charlie Dombek serve as producers on the Fifth Element-inspired film.
Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath also star in the new film, which was directed by Renny Harlin and written by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland. Solomon, Canton, Christopher Milburn, Gary Raskin, Alastair Burlingham, and Charlie Dombek serve as producers on the Fifth Element-inspired film.
Saw XI writer Melton previously told THR that he and collaborator Marcus Dunstan submitted a script of the picture in May 2024. According to Melton, the project “stalled at a managerial level,” and the impediment had “nothing to do with the creative.”
Melton went on: “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.” He compared the topicality to that of Saw VI, which featured Jigsaw exacting revenge on health insurance executives, a theme that has lately gained additional importance following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Lionsgate continues to value the Saw franchise, which has generated more than $1 billion worldwide since its inception in 2004 with the James Wan-directed first film.