TheSawfranchise appeared to have come to an end with recent reports that trouble behind the scenes had seenSaw XIensnared in a trap it could not escape from. However, despite that, and Lionsgate replacing the movie withThe Strangers - Chapter 2in the slot earmarked for it, it looks like it is not “game over” for the franchise yet.
Just like in the movies, it looks like Jigsaw and Billy the Puppet could be about to defy the odds and return again…just a little later than originally planned. WhileThe Hollywood Reporterrevealed thatSaw XIseems to have now officially lost its September 26 slot to the next movie inThe Strangersfranchise, both Lionsgate and one of theSawfranchise’s creepy stars seem to be confident that the franchise is not over, just on hiatus.
‘Saw XI’ Writer Teases “Timely” Plot Details Amid Cancellation Rumors
Amid rumors of ‘Saw XI’ being canceled, it sounds like the ‘Saw’ sequel would be more timely than ever.
Lionsgate shared a statement from Billy the Puppet, the dummy used by Jigsaw to deliver some of his sinister game rules, which said: “I’ve seen the rumors. They say it’s Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over.” In addition to this, the tricycle-riding puppet also updated his LinkedIn status to “Employed,” suggesting that he has not been thrown into Lionsgate storage just yet.
The ‘Saw’ Franchise Has Been an Incredible Success
TheSawfranchise has been buried before. Back in 2010, after a run of 7 movies, the franchise appeared to be over whenSaw 3D(akaSaw 7) received the worst reviews of the saga. Even though it was hugely profitable – mainly thanks to its relatively small budget of $17 million – the following year became the first to not see the release of aSawmovie since the first entry arrived in 2004.
However, in 2017,Jigsawbecame the ninth movie in the franchise, and did the unthinkable in bringing back the mesmerizing Tobin Bell as John Kramer. The new installment still failed to please critics, and saw its box office diminish further, but even that could not keep the franchise down. 2021 saw the release ofthe unexpected standalone spinoff,Spiral, which starred Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, and then, in 2023,Saw Xdelivered a story that took place between the first two movies and brought with it the best reviews of the entire saga.
It was therefore unsurprising thatSaw XIwas announced immediately, withTobin Bell once again expected to return to lead the new movie. While it appears that this will still be the case, there will be noSaw XIhitting cinemas this year. Whether behind the scenes wrinkles can be ironed out to allow things to move forward again is something we can only wait to find out, but there is a little creepy ventriloquist doll out there that is confident we have not seen the last of it.
Source:THR/X
