It's hard to believe, but the curtains may be drawing on the Saw franchise for the time being. The much-anticipated Saw XI, initially slated for a fall release, has hit a significant roadblock and will not be hitting the theaters as planned. This delay isn't due to any creative shortcomings; rather, it's mired in managerial and production disputes.

According to screenwriter Patrick Melton in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, there has been radio silence since May. "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," Melton explained. He and his writing partner Marcus Dunstan handed in a script draft in spring 2024, yet the project remains in limbo due to ongoing disagreements between producers and Lionsgate. "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," Melton added.

Originally, frequent franchise director Kevin Gruetert was set to helm Saw XI, with a release date set for September 2024. However, fans were disappointed when the film's release was pushed back a full year to September 2025. This delay came despite the success of Saw X, the 10th installment, which revitalized the franchise, pulling in over $120 million worldwide during its theatrical run. The strong performance had executives eager to move forward with Saw XI.

Adding to the disappointment, Saw XI was poised to explore a topical theme. While plot specifics remain under wraps, Melton hinted that the story would echo the themes of Saw VI, which he co-wrote with Dunstan and was directed by Gruetert. In Saw VI, John Kramer, aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), targets health insurance executives. "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," Melton shared with THR.

"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." The potential for the Saw franchise to revisit these themes in today's context is intriguing, yet it seems fans may be left in the dark about how this narrative would unfold.