"Saw XI" has officially been excised from Lionsgate's release schedule, yet this does not herald the demise of the iconic horror franchise. The Hollywood Reporter has obtained exclusive information revealing that the anticipated sequel, which was poised to grace theaters on September 26th, has been yanked from that date. This revelation comes on the heels of comments made by the film's writer, Patrick Melton, to THR in a recent article, hinting at internal strife between the producers and Lionsgate.
On Monday, Lionsgate offered a mischievous statement via Billy the Puppet, the ventriloquist dummy wielded by the infamous John Kramer, alias Jigsaw, in the films: "I've caught wind of the rumors. They whisper 'Game Over.' But you should know me better. In my game, there is no final curtain. The game is perpetual."
Simultaneously, "The Strangers: Chapter 2" has now secured a prime theatrical release date of September 26th. Madelaine Petsch reprises her role from "The Strangers: Chapter 1," which debuted last May and amassed a global total of $48 million. This marks the second installment in a planned standalone trilogy that aims to revitalize the franchise that originated with the 2008 film "The Strangers," starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman.
"I solemnly vow that 'The Strangers: Chapter 2' will be as terrifying as humanly possible, and I am eagerly anticipating showcasing it to you on September 26th," expresses Petsch. Producers Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon add, "As avid 'Strangers' fans ourselves, we are overjoyed for Chapter 2—it's the kind of film that will have audiences peering through their fingers in suspense. Releasing it during this Halloween season is ideal, and we can hardly wait for everyone to witness the next chapter in the saga."
Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath also star in this new film, directed by Renny Harlin from a screenplay by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland. The producers include Solomon, Canton, Christopher Milburn, Gary Raskin, Alastair Burlingham, and Charlie Dombek, with the film originating from Fifth Element.
Melton, the screenwriter of "Saw XI," previously disclosed to THR that he and his partner Marcus Dunstan had submitted a draft of the film back in May 2024. According to Melton, the project was "stuck in a managerial quagmire," with the obstacle having "no connection to creativity."
Melton further elaborated, "'Saw XI' may or may not come to fruition, but it contains a timely narrative, and I sincerely hope it sees the light of day solely for that reason." He drew parallels to "Saw VI," which centered on Jigsaw exacting revenge on health insurance executives, a theme that has regained relevance in recent times following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The "Saw" franchise continues to hold a pivotal position for Lionsgate, having amassed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office since its inception with the James Wan-directed original film in 2004.
