Billy the Puppet Warns the Game is Never Over for ‘Saw’ Franchise

Lionsgate has pulled Saw XI from its release schedule and put The Strangers: Chapter 2 in its place, but the Saw franchise’s killer mascot, Billy the Puppet, has issued an amusing warning via THR.

Coming off of a very successful tenth installment, Saw XI was set to release on September 26, 2025, but turmoil behind the scenes has left the fate of the franchise hanging in the balance.

But horror icons never die, and rarely do their franchises, either. That’s supported by a statement from Saw’s pint-sized icon, who all but vows that the franchise will continue in some form. Billy the Puppet, via Lionsgate, told THR, “I’ve seen the rumors. They say it’s Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over.”

Saw X director Kevin Greutert was set to return to helm Saw XI. Fellow franchise alum Marcus Dunstan (The Collector, All My Friends Are Dead) co-wrote the script with creative partner Patrick Melton and previously teased an angry sequel. “We’re writing XI right now, and Kevin Greutert is returning to direct.” He stated, “That’s one where it’s got something new to say, and it’s angry.“

Melton previously hinted at the in-fighting to THR and where the sequel might head: “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.” 

Dunstan and Melton are longtime mainstays in the franchise, having previously written Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI and Saw 3D. Kevin Greutert directed Saw VI, Saw 3D and Saw X.

Saw X brought both Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) and Amanda (Shawnee Smith) back for a sequel cleverly set between the original film and its first sequel. The franchise’s return was a huge hit for Lionsgate, scaring up $111 million at the worldwide box office. 

That the franchise has grossed more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office since its launch in 2004 with James Wan’s Saw, it’s safe to say that it’s an important one to Lionsgate. While time will tell what happens with Saw XI, we believe Billy the Puppet. It’s not game over for Saw until he says so.

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