Saw XI Canceled?!
Saw fans received deeply troubling news recently. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Saw XI, which was supposed to slash its way into theaters this October, has been canceled – or at least delayed indefinitely. This is despite having a story ready and a director, series veteran Kevin Greutert, attached to the project.
So WTF Happened?
How could a project with such high potential get canceled? After the success of Saw X, another sequel seemed preordained. Apparently, infighting between the producers and the studio killed this movie. It’s unfortunate that ego got in the way of a film that lots of people want to see. I listed Saw XI as one of my most anticipated horror movies of 2025.
It’s unclear where this leave the franchise. The click is ticking on Saw. Tobin Bell is 82 years old. Once he’s gone, this franchise is likely to suffer the same fate as Nightmare on Elm Street. It’s going to be difficult, if not impossible, for audiences to accept anyone other than Bell as Jigsaw.
The series has already kind of tried to turn the page, with apprentice characters like Hoffman taking large roles, but there’s no way that he or Amanda or whomever is capable of carrying the franchise.
Remember back in 2010, when Jackie Earle Haley – a very talented actor – flopped abysmally as Freddy Krueger? How many franchises have been successful after the departure of their iconic lead performer? The only one I can think of is James Bond.
This news is disappointing for many people, but none more so than Bell himself. I commend him for still being a working actor at an age where most folks are playing bingo in the retirement home. I’m sure this role means a lot to him, and I hope he gets at least one more chance to play Jigsaw.
