Summary
- The future of the Saw franchise is likely to involve more prequel movies, which could further explore the stories of key characters like John Kramer, Amanda Young, and Mark Hoffman.
- Saw X set the stage for Saw 11 by leaving open the possibility for more installments and introducing characters who could return from the dead. The timeline still has gaps that can be explored.
- Saw 11 should bring back familiar faces like John Kramer, Amanda Young, Mark Hoffman, Jill Tuck, Allison Kerry, Lawrence Gordon, Eric Matthews, and Logan Nelson to add depth to their stories and set up future events in the franchise.
The future of the Saw franchise looks to be more prequel movies, and there are some major characters Saw 11 needs to bring back in that event. Saw X took the franchise in a new direction by focusing squarely on John Kramer, but it was the movie's prequel setting that also helped breathe new life into the series. After years of sequels that only further convoluted the timeline, the 2023 horror movie firmly took place between Saw and Saw II. This allowed the stories of John Kramer and Amanda Young to be fleshed out as they got revenge on the people who lied about curing his cancer.
The events of Saw X's ending left the door open for more installments in the franchise, and it would stand to reason that another prequel movie would come next. There might not be an official confirmation that Saw 11 is happening, but the possibility is clear thanks to where the main characters are left. It also helps that there are other gaps in the timeline that could be explored. Just as Saw X brought a few characters back from the dead thanks to its prequel setting, Saw 11 should do the same. Depending on when it takes place, there are a handful of familiar faces who could return next.
8 John Kramer
Any chance of Saw 11 happening will surely come with news that John Kramer is returning for another Jigsaw adventure. Tobin Bell's character is the focal point of the franchise, appearing in nine out of the ten entries to date. Saw X's decision to make him the hero of the story and increase his role to that degree proved to be an excellent decision. The next movie must continue that trend and bring John Kramer back again. Thankfully, there is still some time before Jigsaw's death in Saw III that a new prequel movie could explore and add more layers to the character.
7 Amanda Young
Shawnee Smith's return as Amanda Young should be expected for Saw 11's cast. The longtime accomplice of John Kramer came back for Saw X in a prominent capacity. This allowed the movie to further establish the close bond that John and Amanda had during his mentorship of her. Considering they are last seen together and knowing that Amanda becomes John's mole inside the game in Saw II shortly thereafter, her continued presence in the franchise is necessary. Leaving her out would create more questions about her whereabouts. Saw 11 could further set up Amanda's preparation for Saw II or build up to her role in Saw III.
6 Mark Hoffman
The surprise return of Mark Hoffman in Saw X's post-credits scene can be taken as an indication that he is part of the franchise's future plans once more. Costas Mandylor's cameo in the movie came after repeated teases of the detective helping John Kramer. Saw 11 would be the perfect place for more of Mark Hoffman's story to be told. Thanks to his role as Jigsaw's replacement once John died, the majority of his story was told as he wanted more power for himself. The next movie could be an opportunity to show more of Mark Hoffman's time as John's accomplice and foreshadow some of his villainous acts later on.
5 Jill Tuck
The decision to focus more on John Kramer's personal life in Saw X positions Saw 11 to do more of the same. That type of story should mean bringing his ex-wife Jill Tuck back for further exploration. Betsy Russell began playing the character in Saw III, so her return for a prequel set before that movie would be an opportunity to flesh out her history with John. Most of Jill Tuck's backstory has come through flashbacks, so her return in Saw 11 would be the first real chance to have her play a significant role in a movie in which John Kramer is primarily featured and set up Saw IV.
4 Allison Kerry
Saw 11 also presents a chance to bring Allison Kerry back through a prequel story. Dina Meyer's character originally acted as the main protagonist of the franchise, as the detective was part of the search for Jigsaw from the first movie up until her death in Saw III. The next Saw movie would still take place at a time when John Kramer is alive and at large, meaning Allison Kerry would still be in pursuit of him. Mark Hoffman's return provides an easy path for Allison Kerry to return since they are both detectives and worked together in Saw III. Her next appearance could show more of their working relationship.
3 Lawrence Gordon
Lawrence Gordon is another one of John Kramer's accomplices who could return in Saw 11 through a prequel setting. Cary Elwes' character did not die at the end of Saw as originally thought, as future installments revealed he survived and came to repeatedly help Jigsaw with his traps. The complete nature of this aspect of their relationship has never been deeply explored in the movies. Dr. Gordon becoming one of the returning characters in Saw 11 would open the door for the franchise to reveal more about his and John's relationship and agreements. It could then play a part in setting up Gordon's role in Saw 3D.
2 Eric Matthews
Eric Matthews is another candidate to return in Saw 11 through its prequel setting. Donnie Wahlberg's character joined the franchise in Saw II, returned after his capture for Saw III, and ultimately died in Saw IV. The homicide detective could factor into the next prequel since he is heavily tied to John and Amanda's remaining time alive. If Saw 11 acts as a prequel to Saw III, Eric's role could reveal more about what happened to him between the events of Saw II and Saw IV. If the Saw X sequel is a more direct continuation, the movie would have to get creative about Eric's return without retconning Saw II.
1 Logan Nelson
Logan Nelson's return in Saw 11 would be a potentially rich example of how the franchise can keep expanding its mythology. Matt Passmore did not join the franchise until Jigsaw, which remains his only appearance as Logan Nelson. The movie acted as a sequel and surprise half-prequel focused on John Kramer's first game, which Logan was tested in and spared by John. This turned Logan into Jigsaw's earliest accomplice, but the franchise has not properly explored this connection so far. Saw 11 is a natural way to bring Logan back and build up his role in Jigsaw's games, potentially even allowing non-prequel Saw movies to be made that star him.