One of the most iconic horror film franchises is getting its first new installment since 2011. A Scream film is in the works from Ready or Not filmmakers Matthew Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, with OG franchise stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette all reprising their roles as Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, and Sheriff Dewey Riley. Plus, the movie has found its first new cast members.
As filming wrapped on November 18, the filmmakers unveiled the title of the reboot: Scream. Executive producer Kevin Williamson tweeted, "That’s a wrap on Scream, which I’m excited to announce is the official title of the next film! Nearly 25 years ago, when I wrote Scream and Wes Craven brought it to life, I could not have imagined the lasting impact it would have on you, the fans." In a follow-up tweet, Williamson wrote, "I’m excited for you to return to Woodsboro and get really scared again. I believe Wes would’ve been so proud of the film that Matt and Tyler are making."
The somewhat anti-climactic title reveal follows some behind-the-scenes drama on the new installment. Just a few weeks into filming, Deadline reported that three crew members on the project had tested positive for COVID-19. Sources told the outlet that filming would resume the following Monday, as "the crew members weren't in the primary pod which includes the actors, the director, assistant directors and DP (director of photography)." The trio of crew members were reportedly quarantined right away and went through additional testing, per Deadline.
Below, everything else we know about the new Scream, its release date, and an update on filming.
Neve Campbell will reprise her role as Sidney Prescott.
The first four films in the Scream universe center around Campbell's Sidney Prescott, the original target of the Ghostface killer. After a few weeks of negotiations, Campbell confirmed her return to the franchise on Instagram. "Hello again, Sidney… #ImBack @ScreamMovies" she captioned a graphic of the Ghostface killer on Instagram.
In May, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that the reboot's directors had reached out to Campbell about reprising her role. "I definitely had a period where I was thinking it would just be too odd to do a movie without Wes, and I wasn’t certain that I would want to do that," Campbell told the outlet at the time. "But, I think enough time has passed. I got this really, really respectful letter from the directors of the new one. They wrote a letter honoring Wes in such a beautiful way, and they expressed that the reason they make horror movies is because of Wes and the Scream films. They also expressed how blown away they are at the idea of actually getting an opportunity to make one of them and how much they want to honor and respect Wes’ vision…So, we’ll see."
The actress also confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that talks with the directors were ongoing. "I wasn't sure it was going to happen and I was approached six weeks ago, but the timing's not great right now, obviously," she explained. "We're starting conversations, we're starting negotiations, but who knows how and when studios are going to open again."
Campbell also commemorated the end of production on Instagram, sharing a photo of herself with executive producer Williamson and co-star Cox. "Screams, smiles, and selfies with @CourteneyCoxOfficial and @KevWilliamson. Excited for you all to see Scream, which is the official title of the new movie, in theatres January 2022," she wrote.
Courteney Cox reprises her role as reporter Gale Weathers.
The Hollywood Reporter announced on July 31 that Cox will reprise her iconic horror film role. She was the second original star to return to the series, following her ex-husband and co-star David Arquette. Cox played intrepid journalist Gale Weathers in all four of the previous films. Production company Radio Silence told Deadline, first to report the casting, in a statement: “We can’t imagine Scream without the iconic Gale Weathers and are so incredibly thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to work with Courteney. We’re absolute mega fans of her work and we’re so excited to join her in the next chapter of the Scream saga!” Cox herself confirmed her involvement on Instagram.
Cox commemorated the end of filming Scream by sharing a throwback photo with original director Wes Craven to Instagram. "Scream just wrapped," she wrote, adding, "This all started 25 years ago directed by the beloved Wes Craven. Walking back on the set 25 years later, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found was an incredible new cast and two uber talented directors. I’m sure Wes will be so proud. Thank you @kevwilliamson for creating this legacy."
David Arquette reprises his role in the horror franchise.
Arquette, who played Sheriff Dewey Riley in all four of the original Scream films, was the first OG cast member to sign on. “I am thrilled to be playing Dewey again and to reunite with my Scream family, old and new,” Arquette said in a statement, via Variety. “Scream has been such a big part of my life, and for both the fans and myself, I look forward to honoring Wes Craven’s legacy.”
Filming on the secretive project took place in 2020, for a 2022 release.
Plot details for the reboot aren't being disclosed quite yet, but Deadline reported in August that filming was slated to begin this fall and finish by the end of 2020. That puts Scream right on track for its release date on January 14, 2022, as reported by Variety.
Three crew members tested positive for the coronavirus.
Sources told Deadline that three crew members received positive results after COVID-19 testing in Wilmington, but Scream's filming, schedule, and release date were not expected to be impacted by this development. The outlet noted that all three members were not in the same "primary pod" as the cast, directors, or cinematographer. "During the pandemic, productions are implementing a pod/zone approach by which the crew is separated into multiple groups, the primary one being the actors, director, DP, etc. with little interaction or none in between groups," Deadline explained. Those who tested positive were quarantined and received further testing, while contact tracing helped keep the rest of the team safe, per the outlet.
Jack Quaid, Melissa Barrera, and Jenna Ortega join the cast.
After Cox and Arquette signed on, Scream secured its first new cast member, per Deadline. Melissa Barrera (In the Heights, Vida) joined the movie in an unspecified role. It will be her first major project since the release of In the Heights was pushed back a year following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The second new addition to the cast, per Deadline, was Jenna Ortega of Jane the Virgin and Netflix's You. Like Barrera, Ortega's role hasn't been specified just yet.
One of the new additions to the cast is Jack Quaid of Amazon's The Boys and the first Hunger Games movie, Variety reports. His role in the film is unknown at this time, but it's the latest in a string of roles that will take his career beyond that of his famous parents, Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan.
The cast knows Scream should've been called 5CREAM.
After it was confirmed that the fifth film in the franchise would be called Scream, some on social media pointed out the missed opportunity of branding the movie, 5CREAM. Quaid addressed conversation about the title on Instagram, writing, "For those disappointed that the new Scream isn’t called 5CREAM, THIS was @melissabarreram and I’s wrap gift to the cast & crew. Ghost Face holding 5 CREAMS! Five Cream lives on in our hearts! ❤️Art by the wonderful + talented @marty.abbeschneider."
This will be the first Scream film without filmmaker Wes Craven.
This reboot will be a reset for the franchise in more ways than one. The movie will be the first in the series that doesn't involve Craven, who died in 2015 at the age of 76. He directed all four films in the original franchise (released in 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2011). Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett will helm the reboot with a script by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac) and Guy Busick (Ready or Not). Kevin Williamson, the screenwriter behind the $600 million franchise, will executive produce the new iteration.
“I’m excited to re-team with David and work with Jamie, Guy and Radio Silence on the next Scream,” Williamson said in a statement, via Deadline. “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.”
Project X Entertainment’s Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein and William Sherak are producing the movie. Radio Silence’s Chad Villella will also serve as an executive producer alongside Williamson.
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