Lionsgate has officially taken Saw XI off the release schedule, replacing it with Renny Harlin’s The Strangers: Chapter 2. This unexpected shift reflects ongoing challenges faced by the studio regarding the horror franchise.
In light of the recent turmoil surrounding Saw XI, Lionsgate’s decision to remove the film from its release calendar is hardly shocking. Originally scheduled to premiere in theaters on September 26th, this highly anticipated project has faced numerous delays, extending over the past year. With the film now sidelined, Renny Harlin’s The Strangers: Chapter 2 is set to fill that vacant slot, indicating a shift in focus for the studio towards its other horror offerings.
Following the success of Saw X, it was anticipated that Lionsgate would swiftly initiate plans for a follow-up. Kevin Greutert was prepared to return as the director, collaborating with writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan on the script. However, the unexpected news of the project’s cancellation came as a shock last week. An insider stated, “It’s totally dead. It’s 100% over. Almost a year now,” indicating a significant setback. “Everything went sideways in January 2024 … the producers started fighting.”
Melton later expressed that they have not received any updates regarding the project 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,” he said. “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. 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 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.“
It’s disheartening to realize that one of the most significant modern horror franchises has been put on hold, at least temporarily, due to conflicts among studio executives. However, in a statement, Billy the Puppet remarked, “I’ve seen the rumors. They say it’s Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over.” This suggests that there may still be hope for the franchise’s future.
As for The Strangers: Chapter 2, this sequel to Harlin’s trilogy will further explore the harrowing experiences of Maya (portrayed by Madelaine Petsch) as she continues to be pursued by the ominous strangers. “In this case, we see that she survives, and just when she thinks she’s going to be okay, things get worse, because the Strangers just won’t give up,” Harlin hinted. “So chapters two and three go in completely different directions than the first chapter, and they become more epic.” Fans can check out our review of the first film right here.
