Fast Links
After the resounding success of the Saw II prequel Saw X, it didn’t take long for Lionsgate to get the greenlight on yet another chapter in John Kramer’s story. As the months roll by and we inch closer and closer to Halloween, the much-anticipated sequel-prequel draws nearer. But what can we expect from the next installment in a franchise two decades in the making?
How Did Saw X End?
As we know from Saw X, set between Saw and Saw II, John Kramer aka Jigsaw applied for an experimental procedure in Mexico to rid himself of his terminal cancer. John later discovers the whole operation to be an elaborate ruse orchestrated by Cecilia Pederson, the daughter of a revolutionary doctor known for his miracle methods in curing sick patients. John subsequently kidnaps all those involved and tests their will to live as punishment for their misdemeanor.
The movie ends with Valentina, Mateo, and Gabriela all dead. Cecilia Pederson is trapped inside of a toxic-gas-filled room with no feasible way of escape. John, Amanda Young, and a young boy named Diego all leave the facility with Cecilia’s earnings.
In a post-credits scene, Henry Kessler, a former ‘patient’ of Cecilia’s who led John into her path, finds himself tested by John and Mark Hoffman in a dilapidated bathroom.
Where Does That Leave Saw XI?
It might be a little misleading to see John, Amanda, and Diego all walking off triumphantly into the sunset. As we know from Saw II and later Saw III, their lives only get more complicated. John continues his work, enlisting the help of Amanda as his apprentice. She poses as an unwilling participant of the Nerve Gas House as a ploy to ensure the game’s functionality and fairness. In the end, she and Daniela Matthews, son of Eric Matthews, both survive the ordeal.
Amanda herself is tested in Saw III, the climactic end to both John Kramer and Amanda Young. Saw IV onwards introduced Logan Nelson, Dr. Lawrence Gordon, and Mark Hoffman as ‘figure’ Jigsaws. But what does that mean for Saw XI?
The Cast of Saw XI
First of all, we know that Kevin Greutert, director of Saw X, has signed on to direct the sequel.
Given how John and Amanda both die in Saw III, there’s no feasible way for Saw XI to focus on them unless it were another prequel, which it is confirmed to be. Few details are known about where exactly Saw XI falls in the timeline, although we expect it to either pick up where Saw X left off or focus more on one of John’s disciples. Many fans believe the primary focus of the sequel to be Mark Hoffman, played by Costas Mandylor.
Tobin Bell has appeared in every Saw movie in some capacity save for Spiral, so it’s almost a given that he’ll reprise his role yet again. Shawnee Smith is a less obvious choice to return, as Amanda’s story is all but written. That leaves Mark Hoffman, Dr. Lawrence Gordon, Logan Nelson, and some other characters from the kind-of-spin-off Spiral. That means we could see Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Cary Elwes, and/or Matt Passmore reprise their roles from previous films.
The Plot of Saw XI
Chris Rock doesn’t seem a likely candidate, so that whittles it down to the three characters we know for certain to be alive and affiliated with Jigsaw. Mark Hoffman is the more probable of the three simply because of his exposure within the franchise as the central focus of Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, and Saw: 3D.
As for the plot, we can only assume that if Hoffman is indeed the focus, the prequel will delve more into his backstory and how he became entangled in Jigsaw’s philosophy. It could also recount his earlier days as a police detective as he works to unmask Jigsaw. Quite frankly, the possibilities are endless.
Another likelihood would be Logan Nelson’s character being the main focus, especially as he makes his presence known in Jigsaw and then effectively vanishes. He didn’t make as much of a splash as Mark Hoffman in terms of significance to the story, but Passmore made a compelling villain all by himself — without Tobin Bell holding his hand.
Related:
The Silence of the Lambs Is Still the Only Horror Movie To Win Best Picture and That Needs To ChangeBesides, as much as we all love John Kramer, he’s dead. There’s only so many times one can rehash the same storyline, no?
When Will Saw XI Release?
Saw XI, or ‘Saw 11,’ will arrive in cinemas on September 27, 2024.
And that’s incredibly soon, considering Saw X only released around the same time last year. If nothing else, the fast turnaround proves that the Saw franchise is a labor of love for Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures.
Since it’s about to be April already, we should realistically expect some news any time soon. We probably won’t get a trailer until closer to September, just like last year, but at the very least we’ll get a synopsis and some casting announcements.