Lionsgate has pulled the plug on Saw XI, the next installment in the notorious Saw horror franchise, originally scheduled for release on September 26, 2025. The studio has instead opted to release The Strangers – Chapter 2 on the same date.
The fate of Saw XI remains uncertain. Despite the film being greenlit in 2023 with veteran director Kevin Greutert at the helm, progress has stalled. Screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan recently revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that no significant development had taken place since submitting a draft in the spring of 2024.
While the cancellation has sparked some uncertainty, Lionsgate isn’t entirely closing the door on Saw XI. The franchise’s iconic puppet, Billy, made light of the situation in a statement, reassuring fans: “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 Saw franchise has proven its staying power, grossing over $1 billion worldwide across ten films. The latest entry, Saw X, was a commercial success, raking in $112 million globally in 2023. The series, anchored by the chilling figure of Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell), continues to captivate audiences with its brutal and deadly games.
Meanwhile, The Strangers – Chapter 2 will fill the September 2025 slot. The first installment of the new Strangers trilogy earned $48 million at the box office last summer, exceeding expectations despite mixed reviews. The follow-up promises to be just as terrifying, according to actress Madelaine Petsch, who stars alongside Froy Gutierrez. “I promise that we’re making ‘The Strangers—Chapter 2’ as terrifying as possible,” she said.
Producers Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon are equally enthusiastic about the sequel, with Solomon commenting, “Like ‘Strangers’ fans everywhere, we’re thrilled for ‘Chapter 2.’ It’s the kind of film that’ll have audiences watching through their fingers.” They also noted the perfect timing of the film’s Halloween-season release.
As Saw fans wait for the franchise’s eventual return, Lionsgate is setting its sights on a new horror chapter, with The Strangers – Chapter 2 leading the way.
Related topic:
Tyler Perry’s “Duplicity”: A Languorous, Unfocused Political Drama
‘The Empire Strikes Back’ to Open TCM Film Festival
Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Overcomes Controversy with Fresh Retelling