Inside Saw's future as '100% dead' horror franchise gets exciting update
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.
But now, the legendary horror series has been given a lifeline, which means the 11th film is back on the cards.
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.
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.
Two weeks after speculation began that Blumhouse would be buying Twisted Pictures' stake of the Saw franchise, it was confirmed by the studio.
It was also announced that Lionsgate will continue to be a partner on the Saw films.
Koules said in a statement: 'With the success of the tenth film, this felt like the right time to pass the baton. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built with Lionsgate over the past 20 years and deeply grateful to the fans who've been with us since the beginning.
'It's especially meaningful to see the franchise return to its original creators, James and Leigh, and I can't think of a better partner than Jason to lead Saw into its next chapter.
'On a personal note, I know the late Gregg Hoffman, my original partner on this journey, would be so happy with this ending.'
Burg added: '21 years ago, we met James Wan and Leigh Whannell and financed the first Saw movie. The film was magical and a hit beyond our wildest dreams, and our fans kept the franchise alive for over 20 years.
'It's been an amazing ride and, with the recent passing of our beloved executive producer, Jason Constantine, it's time for me to move on and tell new stories. Saw will always be a part of my history and Hollywood history, and I hope Jigsaw and the Saw Universe live on for many more movies and years to come.
'Lastly, I'd like to thank all the amazing actors, crew, and Lionsgate executives who have worked with us on 10 movies over the past 20 years — none of this could have happened without you all. We wish James, Leigh and Jason huge success with the continuation of the franchise.'
Wan also issued a statement about his return to the franchise, saying it was 'thrilling and deeply personal' to the esteemed horror director. More Trending
'Saw holds a special place in my heart—it's where Leigh and I began our Hollywood journey. Coming back to this world with a fresh perspective is both thrilling and deeply personal,' he began.
'For me, this will mark a significant creative return to the Saw franchise for the first time since the early days, and I'm very much looking forward to embracing the original spirit whilst pushing the legacy forward in bold, unexpected ways.'
An official announcement about an 11th film has not yet been shared, but it marks a positive change for the future of Saw, which seemed dead in the water only months prior.
Metro has contacted representatives for Lionsgate and Blumhouse for comment
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: What's happening with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit ahead of 'explosive' series?
MORE: 28 Years Later ending explained by star, and what it could mean for sequel
MORE: I've always hated horror films – but I loved 28 Years Later
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Netflix streaming 5 'much funnier' movies than Happy Gilmore 2 - including another Sandler classic
Fans left disappointed by the return of Happy Gilmore should look no further than these comedy classics all available to stream on Netflix Viewers left gutted by Happy Gilmore's comeback should turn their attention to these dependable comedy gems that are all available to stream on Netflix. One of them even features Adam Sandler himself during his comedic prime for those craving a hit of nostalgia. The Hollywood star's return as the foul-mouthed professional golfer is without doubt one of this year's most eagerly awaited follow-ups. Yet it hasn't exactly struck gold with reviewers, with The Hollywood Reporter branding it "terrible" alongside "moronic, witless and relentlessly vulgar". Ordinary punters have also felt rather deflated, as one commented on X: "Happy Gilmore 2 is, unfortunately awful. I had to force myself to watch all of it", reports the Express. "I just kept hoping it would just end. It was like watching something made by a 10 year old." Fortunately, there are loads of rib-tickling choices ready to stream for anyone needing a proper giggle this weekend. Bridesmaids When Annie Walker (played by Wiig) gets chosen as chief bridesmaid for her bestie Lillian's (Maya Rudolph) big day, mayhem kicks off when she locks horns with posh interloper Helen (Rose Byrne). The flick has stayed a crowd-pleaser all these years on, with one Google review gushing: "Love this movie lol, 10 years now it's been making me laugh. "Years later.. I still watch probably twice a year. There's not one filler part.. it's all funny and if it's not it has a reason for it. Pretty great soundtrack too. All the actors at their absolute best." Bridesmaids is available to stream on Netflix. Mean Girls Penned by and featuring 30 Rock icon Tina Fey, this blockbuster comedy remains just as cherished today as it was upon its debut over two decades ago. One five-star Google review dubbed it an "untouchable classic. Funny, real, and forever quotable." A Letterboxd user agreed: "One of my all-time favorite movies, I love watching it because it makes me laugh so much and it's super iconic. "Everything about this masterpiece fascinates me and I'll never get tired of watching it." Mean Girls is available to stream on Netflix. Big Daddy When layabout Sonny faces being dumped by his girlfriend, he pledges to become more mature and accidentally finds himself caring for young Julian (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) who appears on his doorstep. Anticipate loads of mayhem and reckless antics from this unapologetically daft comedy one admirer dubbed "an absolute classic". "I am currently watching this again after so many years," they continued. "I can't believe this was out when I was 9 and the movie is still as awesome as it was when it was released." Big Daddy is available to stream on Netflix. Pineapple Express When Dale (Rogen) and his dealer Saul (Franco) become embroiled in a criminal conflict, they find themselves with little choice but to flee. Yet matters deteriorate further when a dangerous crime boss and a bent police officer begin pursuing them. One Letterboxd user's five-star review said: "A stoner comedy classic. I've seen this bad-boy around a dozen times and I laugh my damn a** off with every viewing. "The laughs keep coming and coming, it's a laugh a second kind of comedy, sure it's silly, but silly can sometimes be great." Watch Stranger Things on Netflix for free with Sky from £15 Sky Get the deal here Product Description Superbad The film has since achieved cult status, widely regarded as one of the most hilarious movies ever made that helped propel stars like Michael Cera and Emma Stone to fame. One passionate Letterboxd review confessed: "I can count on two hands the number of movies that are able to make me laugh out loud on a second viewing; however, Superbad is the only movie that will continue to make me laugh out loud on the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh viewing, etc. "Michael Cera steals the show. His awkwardness is unlike anything I have seen before and he never fails to make you either laugh or cringe." Superbad is available to stream on Netflix.
Graziadaily
19 hours ago
- Graziadaily
Netflix's Too Much: Why Criticism Of The 'Sexual Chemistry' Feels Barbed
A week after Lena Dunham's second major TV project since Girls landed on Netflix and critics have, for the most part, been surprisingly ungenerous. Aside from claims that Too Much is an 'underbaked disappointment' and 'not as good as Girls ', plenty of reviews have referenced the protagonists', Jessica (Megan Stalter) and Felix (Will Sharpe), distinct lack of chemistry. Given that the romantic comedy – which is loosely based on co-creators Dunham and Luis Felber's own romance – tracks Felix and Jessica's relationship from their first meeting to their wedding day, and that they have sex in almost every episode, this criticism rings alarm bells. What exactly do they mean? What were they hoping for? In what ways did Stalter and Sharpe, or indeed the directors, fall short on this front? The Hollywood Reporter , for one, accused the Netflix series of having 'intimacy issues', admitting that there is plenty of 'enthusiastic sex' and 'confessional conversation' but too few 'lingering gazes' or 'intense close-ups'. This seems fair. Their critic called Jessica and Felix's romance 'sweet enough to like but too cool to fall head over heels for' and writes that 'for a whirlwind romance, Too Much feels awfully dispassionate'. This I might question. Meanwhile, The Atlantic wrote that 'romance on-screen has never been colder'. The review reads, 'Two years ago, on a New Yorker podcast lamenting the modern state of the rom-com, Alexandra Schwartz noted that the most crucial quality for any romance is this: 'You have to believe that these two people want to be together, and you have to buy in.' On this front, Too Much barely even tries.' Adding that Felix and Jessica have 'almost negative chemistry', they claim the pair stay together 'out of what feels like inertia'. Let's put a pin in that one too. Elsewhere in a Reddit thread discussing the Netflix show, one user wrote that the scene where Jessica gets an Uber to join Felix's protest on the M25 and confess her love for him 'fell totally flat' and made them realise 'they really had no chemistry'. Another review for The Arts Fuse called Jessica 'an infuriating heroine who is very difficult to root for' – surely penned by someone unfamiliar with Girls – and adds, 'I wondered what Felix saw in her, especially since their romantic chemistry is sorely lacking (a point underscored by their many cringeworthy sex scenes).' Lena Dunham, Megan Statler and Will Sharpe at the Too Much UK screening. (Photo by) 'I wondered what Felix saw in her, especially since their romantic chemistry is sorely lacking.' The Arts Fuse While it's unlikely any of these critics had ill intentions, the suggestions that Felix and Jessica have 'negative chemistry', that their romance is 'dispassionate' or that their sex scenes are 'cringeworthy' feel suspicious – and familiar. In ten episodes we see the protagonists stay up all night talking about everything from their childhoods to Paddington Bear , we see them get jealous of one another, we seem them argue, we see them look after each other, move in together and slowly surrender themselves to their expansive and overwhelming feelings. In any sense, it's hard to imagine how this could be deemed dispassionate. Both Felix and Jessica are hapless, chaotic people with a distinct lack of order and purpose in their everyday lives. The fact they are drawn to each other against all odds can only be explained by the inexplicable – as is often the case in real life. Their connection is largely inconvenient and illogical, which is exactly why it's so romantic. We saw similar critique crop up after the hotly anticipated release of One Day on Netflix last year. A review in The New Statesman called the series 'a romcom without any chemistry' and decried the adaptation as 'unconvincing'. Meanwhile The Times called out 'the slightly lacking chemistry between the two main actors', Ambika Mod (who played Emma Morley) and Leo Woodall (who played Dexter Mayhew). We saw it again when Nicola Coughlan's character Penelope Featherington was announced as the romantic lead of season three of Bridgerton . Starring opposite Luke Newton's Colin Bridgerton, it didn't take long before some disparaging think pieces concluded that Coughlan does not have what it takes to be a leading lady. 'Reader, she is not hot, and there is no escaping it,' reads a particularly mean-spirited review in The Spectator. 'Coughlan is an actress of great value, and might be adored, but she is simply not plausible as the friend who would catch the handsome rich aristocrat Colin Bridgerton's eye in that way.' The difference between the latter critique and the former is that it is not so thinly veiled. What all three shows have in common is an unconventional romantic pairing as their leads, whether in terms of race, body shape or beauty standards at large. It is hard to distinguish the shared 'lack of chemistry' criticism leveraged at all three shows from this fact – even if, thankfully, it remains in the minority. Instead, it shows what actors, producers and casting directors are up against. As a forward-thinking society, we claim we want to see more diversity on screen, and for it not to become the sole focus or storyline. However, three big budget Netflix shows that have attempted to do just that have been labelled unconvincing and unromantic – perhaps the worst thing a romcom can be called. Someone who has thought about this dichotomy a great deal after experiencing it first hand is Mod herself. 'You have a double whammy in this adaptation where a lot of people who know the story and read the book or watched the film probably didn't picture an Emma who looked like me,' she told Glamour . Speaking about the wildly different receptions she and her co-star Woodall received from fans, she added: 'The romance genre can be a double-edged sword at points. For a long time, it has not been a genre that's been respected because it's mainly for women, and now it's having a sort of resurgence. But it always seems to be the male characters and the male protagonists and the male actors who are elevated from having done a rom-com, and it's the female characters who don't get the same recognition, who don't get the same elevation, who don't get the same moment.' The comment about Stalter being 'an infuriating heroine' springs to mind. As does the widespread adoration of Sharpe since the show aired. To tackle this pattern, which has in turn become a problem, it seems like society's gripes with unconventional, complex and diverse female leads is a good place to start. Until we can not only accept but embrace these characters, TV creators will be hard pushed to convince audiences that their romances are worth rooting for. Let's hope the viewing figures – an area where all three shows triumph – continue to successfully drown out the negativity. As Jessica, Emma and Penelope serve to prove, there's great power in numbers.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Beetlejuice 3 director wonders if he's been ‘replaced' after development update
Legendary Hollywood director Tim Burton is questioning if he's been replaced after 'nobody told him' about plans for Beetlejuice 3. The 66-year-old filmmaker, who directed the original 1988 comedy horror classic and its 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, has played down speculation that a third movie is definitely on the cards. Nostalgia for the original combined with the return of Michael Keaton as the titular self-proclaimed 'Ghost with the Most' and a starry supporting cast helped propel the sequel to $451,100,000 at the box office. Earlier this year, Warner Bros Pictures co-chairman/CEO Mike De Luca had insisted development on Beetlejuice 3 was 'imminent'. Upon hearing this, Burton told The Hollywood Reporter: 'Really? Nobody told me. Maybe I've been replaced.' Jenna Ortega, who appeared in the second film last year, quipped: 'Maybe I've been, too. Maybe [her character] Astrid dies and goes to heaven instead [of the films' Netherworld]. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'They should just take Baby Beetlejuice on tour and send him to Hawaii.' Burton pointed out that more than three decades passed between the first two films in the franchise, joking that 'the odds are not good' for a follow-up any time soon because he'd be 105 by then. The filmmaker added: 'I really, really enjoyed making this one, and [Warner Bros] didn't even really want to do it. 'We did it the same way I did the first one, with the actors doing improv. It was beautiful to see some of the old cast and have Jenna. But it's like trying to re-create the Wednesday dance scene. I love the characters, but I don't necessarily see it.' Burton also seemed to suggest he'd be unwilling to allow another director to step in and do it instead, as he feels 'very proprietary about everything I do, even if I don't own the characters'. He admitted too that 'when they did the [Beetlejuice Broadway musical], I got p****d'. Meanwhile, Ortega noted she would 'never' want to return to the Beetlejuice world without Burton steering the ship as it would be 'really wrong to get behind that project'. 'Without him involved, what is it? It is what it is because of Tim. There's no other film you can compare Beetlejuice to. So why would you do that? That would be a tad disrespectful.' The 22-year-old played the daughter of Winona Ryder's Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, who is initially unwilling to entertain her mother's psychic abilities as someone still haunted by Beetlejuice. After a family tragedy, three generations of the family return home to Winter River. But Astrid turns their lives upside down when she accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife. She has also collaborated with Burton on Netflix series Wednesday, where she plays the lead role, and which returns for season two next month. It's a project Burton previously revealed 're-energised' him after he became disillusioned with the movie industry. Back in April, Warner Bros executive De Luca had claimed plans were moving along for sequels for both Minecraft and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. He told Deadline: 'Imminently. The ink might not be dry on the deals yet, but imminently.' De Luca insisted the studio was looking to capitalise on both film's success. More Trending He explained: 'To have two franchises emerge from our leadership team with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Minecraft, I feel like we're ahead of schedule. 'Now we're trying to step on the gas, to double, to quadruple that kind of success.' Metro contacted has Warner Bros for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Horror sequel with 89% Rotten Tomatoes score has left critics 'disturbed and feeling hollow' MORE: Winona Ryder, 53, was rejected by Al Pacino, 85, after falling 'actively in love' MORE: 9 deliciously bleak films and where to stream them after 'soul-crushing' new horror
