I scream, you scream, we all scream for new Scream!
It’s been nearly 10 years since Scream 4 (2011) had its tepid reception by horror fans. Is the world finally ready for another installment of the meta-horror classic? Spyglass Media says, “yes!”
David ArquetteWith David Arquette already signed on the dotted line for a return to his role as Sheriff Dewey Riley and with Neve Campbell in talks to once again be the never-say-die Sidney Prescott we all know and love, revisiting the Screamverse seems like it might be a fun trip. We all know how quickly these things can take a turn for the lame, though, so I’m sure our Scariest Readers — being the knowledgeable and discriminating horror fans that you are — will need a bit more convincing.
How about this: Scream 5 will be co-directed by the same duo from the Radio Silence group (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) who helmed 2019’s fantastic Ready or Not and had a hand in creating the cult classic anthology film V/H/S (2012). To be honest, just being able to link this new Scream to the brilliance of Ready or Not is enough to make me want to see it.
If that’s not enough for you, though, how about this: Kevin Williamson, writer of the original Scream as well as the second and fourth sequels, is attached as executive producer on this new project.
The press release for Scream 5 is a veritable love-fest for everyone involved.
The boys from Radio Silence said:
It’s impossible to fully express how much Wes Craven’s work and the Scream movies in particular mean to us as fans and have influenced us as storytellers. Kevin Williamson’s incredible stories have entertained and inspired us for decades and we’re insanely honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the cinematic world Wes and Kevin so brilliantly created together.
Kevin Williamson had this to say:
I’m excited to reteam with David [Arquette] and work with Jamie, Guy and Radio Silence on the next Scream. Their take on the movie is both original, inventive and honors Wes’ legacy in a wonderful way. Ready or Not was my favorite horror film of last year and I can’t wait to see what their amazing talents bring to the ‘Scream’ universe. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
Neve CampbellThe Jamie and Guy he mentions are writers James Vanderbilt [Netflix’s Murder Mystery (2019)] and Guy Busick [Ready or Not (2019)].
And, not to be outdone in the “I Love You, Man!” department, James Vanderbilt had this to say:
Just the fact that we get to sit in a room with Kevin Williamson and talk about a new Scream movie is a dream come true for me. For years I’ve wanted to see a new Scream movie, and now we get to help make one. We want this to be a love letter to the movies Wes and Kevin created together and to the fans
Scream 5 is still very much in the pre-production stage at this point as they wait for COVID restrictions to loosen up. The filmmakers are reportedly using this time to court additional Scream alumni in hopes of getting more of the original band back together.
Even with the little that we know today, however, this is shaping up to be an exciting project. We’ll be keeping our eyes on this one.