Producer Explains Exactly What Happened With ‘Saw XI’ Before Blumhouse Acquired the Rights

Longtime Saw series producer Oren Koules says Saw 11 isn't happening due to a disagreement with producing partner Mark Burg, and not because of the franchise's recent Blumhouse acquisition.

via: Bloody Disgusting

There was a time when Saw XI was set for theatrical release in September of this year, but the eleventh installment in the hit franchise ultimately stalled out and was eventually pulled from the release schedule entirely. Then came the bombshell that Blumhouse has acquired the franchise rights from Twisted Pictures, with the saga likely to return to the big screen with some form of reboot rather than the more traditional sequel to Saw X that had been planned.

So what happened behind the scenes that led to Saw XI being scrapped and Blumhouse taking over the rights long held by Twisted Pictures, you might be wondering at this point?

Twisted’s Oren Koules has spilled the beans in a chat with Fangoria, revealing that Koules and his Twisted Pictures partner Mark Burg just couldn’t agree on the direction for Saw XI.

Twisted’s Oren Koules has spilled the beans in a chat with Fangoria, revealing that Koules and his Twisted Pictures partner Mark Burg just couldn’t agree on the direction for Saw XI.

Koules tells the outlet, “My partner and I couldn’t see eye to eye on Saw XI. It was the right time [to sell].”

“It’s not a big secret. Kevin Gruetert was directing. Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton wrote. It was a great script,” Koules continues. “It took place about 30 seconds after Saw X. Everybody was in. Everybody was in. Mark [Burg] and I just couldn’t agree on the execution.”

Koules also makes it clear in the chat with Fangoria that Blumhouse has acquired “the library, the ten previous movies, all of the ancillaries, roller coaster, escape rooms, all of it” as part of the deal, and he also notes that he has no idea what Jason Blum’s plans are for the franchise.

One thing we do know is that Saw franchise creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell will be helping to “guide the future of the franchise” alongside Blumhouse and Lionsgate.

“Saw holds a special place in my heart,” Wan said. “Coming back to this world with a fresh perspective is thrilling and deeply personal. For me, this will mark a significant creative return to the 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.”