Lionsgate has pulled “Saw XI” from its release slate, replacing it with “The Strangers — Chapter 2” in its September 26 release slot.
The slate change comes after a report from Bloody Disgusting last week in which sources close to production of “Saw XI” said that the film’s producers had irreconcilable creative differences over the project that executives at Lionsgate could not smooth over.
While the future of “Saw” is now uncertain, Lionsgate is reassuring fans that there is indeed a future, as the studio released a statement attributed to the franchise’s mascot, Billy the Puppet.
“I’ve seen the rumors. They say it’s Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over,” it says.
“The Strangers – Chapter 2” is the second part of a planned trilogy relaunch of the horror franchise first launched in 2008 about a group of psychopath masked killers who attack a couple in a secluded vacation home. “Chapter 1” was a modest success with $35 million grossed in the U.S. against a reported $8.5 million budget.
The film will be released the same weekend as Warner Bros.’ “One Battle After Another,” a crime film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson that will get Imax support as well as limited engagements in Imax 70mm and VistaVision.
“Like Strangers fans everywhere, we’re thrilled for Chapter 2 — it’s the kind of film that’ll have audiences watching through their fingers,” series producers Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon said in a statement. “Bringing it to theaters this Halloween season is perfect, and we can’t wait for everyone to see where the story goes next.”
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