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Wes Craven On for Scream 4? Yes, Scream 4?!

by Kevin Powers
July 30, 2008
Source: MTV

Michael Bay's horror sequels/reboots/re-imaginings are questionable enough, but a fourth installment of the Scream franchise strikes me as even more worrisome. A few weeks ago it was confirmed that the Weinsteins would be pursuing a third sequel to the franchise that started with a butchering bang back in 1996. More recently, MTV caught up with horror savant Wes Craven, the man behind the entire franchise anyway, who outright confirmed that "there has been talk between Bob Weinstein and me about doing another Scream." Might I ask the obvious question: why?!

While the original Scream was some really good work, the two films that followed definitely created a downward trend for the series, at least in terms of quality. Even though each film earned about $100 million apiece (domestically), their respective ratings on Rotten Tomatoes go from 84% to 79% to 39%. When the Weinsteins say, "the fans have been asking for a 4th Scream movie for years and we’re finally giving it to them," I wonder who those fans might be? That third film from 2000 seems like it would have left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. It did for me. You?

Wes Craven's potential involvement certainly gives the project some credibility and a glimmer of hope, but he's definitely not locked in yet. “My last experience [with the Weinsteins] was kind of rough with Cursed so it would have to be under very, very controlled circumstances." Cursed was definitely, um... cursed, with troubled production and infighting, which afforded it a paltry $19 million domestic gross and a very sad 16% rating. However, Craven was responsible for that last Scream film as well, so it's not like he'll necessarily be the savior of the Scream return this time around either.

To describe my interest in this project as marginal would be too kind. I definitely enjoyed the film that started the series, but that was also because of Neve Campbell. Speaking of, where the hell has she been lately? And even though the Weinsteins are keen to bring back the original cast, I can't even look forward to seeing the Wild Things co-star as she's quoted as saying, "We were really lucky with the Scream films to actually make a good trilogy... but I think it was a good idea for me to stop there... to me, [Scream 4] just doesn't make sense." Are you screaming with delight at this news?

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

mike

first comment
ha1rball

I personally loved the Scream movies and wouldn't mind seeing a 4th
Matt Smith

Personally, I really like this franchise EXCEPT for Scream 3. That movie seemed like the studio was trying to parody the rest of the franchise. Scream brought back a host of cheesy slasher movies like Urban Legend and I Know What You Did Last Summer, but that is because it was SO GOOD. Scream 2 was almost a replica of the first one, it just took place in college instead of high school and Scream 3 was DISASTROUS! I always felt that the third one tore down the franchise, but I would like to see a 4th movie. Many people were not satisfied with the way it all ended and I think a revival would be great. If they cannot come up with anything, I think a good plot would be to have a fan who was obsessed with the movies stalk the actors. The movies were however about people taking horror movies too seriously and using what they learned from watching them to kill other people. Wes Craven is familiar with this when he reclaimed Freddy Krueger back in "Wes Craven's New Nightmare". Why not instead have a fan who took the series too seriously decided to stalk Neve Campbell, not Sidney Prescott. David Arquette and Courtney Cox are already married, so it wouldn't be hard to bring them back. It could also have all the original cast members back if they were all on board. Come to think of it...I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SCREAM 4 (or reimagining, what they're calling "sequels" these days)!!!!!!
The Delightful Deviant

is Jamie Kennedy going to come out on yet another video tape knowing who the real killer is?
Pickle

They can all use a decent gig. Sure, go for it! Odds are, this will be ok. Reboots, re-imaginings, and sequels are in fashion. One more couldn't hurt!
Boo-Yah

For the love of God, please don't tell me that there's going to be idiots starting with "first comment" crap on these threads. Irritates the piss out of me...either say something constructive or fuck off. I absolutely love the first Scream and despite the less than stellar sequels, the trilogy, to me is still an enjoyable silly fun. Re-makes and re-boots seems to be the 'trend' in Hollywood these days. The main argument is going to be - will this bring back the old characters we all know or bring in a fresh new crop? There's can't possibly be anyone left to go after Sidney, so I don't know. I don't think there's much they could do with creating like a prequel-type with Sidney's mom and that whole line of history. All in all, I'd be willing to contemplate a return of the Ghost face Killer...
sam

I LOVED the first one, Skeet Urlich was priceless, I fell for him in that movie, But a 4th? really? 0.0
SiG

I had/have the biggest crush on Neve..
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

I actually and like the rest of the people on here are excited for this one it seems like. AS LONG AS NEVE, COURTNEY, AND DAVE COME BACK!!!!!!!!!! Neve at least! I like #3's idea, kind of like what Craven did for Nightmare on elm Street with the real cast so he might do the same thing again. MATT SMITH, SUMBIT YOUR IDEA IN !!! I like the idea and atleast they are bringing back a movie that actually made a lot of money, not some random crap as they have been doing lately. I'm in. But I agree, Wes needs total control, I remember CURSED. The director's cut STILL wasn't that good, but a hell of a lot better than the studio version and his director cut STILL wasn't 100% the way he intended.
daniel

Not Really. I could really care less. I did love Scream 1, 2, & 3, but really I don't care. Now if they made a Resident Evil 4 movie, I would more excited for that. But I might go see Scream 4.
http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com Ian

I love the idea of a Scream 4, I hope that they can get Kevin Williamson back...
http://mnone.com Yeah

Great, just what we fucking need.
Breach

Dear Hollywood, FUCK YOU Signed, Your ever so bored, tired of reboots and sequels, yearning for something new and exciting, consumer public. If this is anything except a low budget direct to VHS sequel I will be severely disappointed.
Brian

First of all, hell no! Second, the last one was totally predictable, and sucked. and Third, hell no!!!!!
http://firstshowing.net Andy Adair

They were not great movies, but they were enjoyable!
XXX

have you noticed any movie with a 3rd sequel gets a fourth now? here's a list: indiana jones, x-men, spiderman, lord of the rings, pirates of the caribean, saw tell me if i miss some
Thomas

I hated every one of them. BTW I can't stand college flicks
insanartist

It would be ok if they use new actors enough said.........................
Conrad

I personally loved the first Scream. I thought it was scary, campy and dead serious all at the same time. Great fucking opening!! He throws the fucking chair through the window - hardcore suspense! I also brought the trilogy despite the fact the third movie was a wash, you still need to have the whole thing (plus bonus shit). The third one pretty much ties up all the loose ends, so what are they planning to do this time? A new crew in a new city and a new state? Nah, I'd rather bask in nostalgia of the first two Scream films.
Don

The first wasnt to bad but the other two i wouldnt piss on they just cant stop wif these bullshit sequels that arnt worth watchin can they. Seriously who would spend 14 bucks to watch another crap scream flick i know i certainly wont be.
PatrickInGa

Ive been eagerly awaiting a fourth installment. I am a huge fan of all three, funny, for all the people who said they didnt like the third one, it turned out to be the largest grossing horror film of all time, which means it made more money than the previous two(scratching head). Anyway, i would love to see if Dewey and Gale really walk down the isle and if Mark and Sid got together, and also what was the movie Mark/Dewey and Gale wanted Sid to come watch? To be honest, i think the only and i mean only way Neve would do Scream 4 is if she is killed off in the opening along with Mark. Which i think is the best scenerio. In order to move forward and be fresh, this would be the only way. The whole story on Sid has been told, it's time to kick off a new story. I think keeping Dewey and Gale would be smart. Honestly they were truely only bit players in all three previous ones. I think it would be a great move to put them on the front burner now. For my idea, i think the title should be Scream 4 - Return to Woodsboro. The story idea i have is after the murders of Sid and Mark, the killer goes back to where it all began, Woodsboro. It has been 12 years since the first massacre, and the sleepy town has been slowly recovering, until.....a high school teen girl is brutaly murdered identical to Casey Becker was 12 years earlier. Now foward to the new group of teen friends, four girls and four guys. After hearing about the murder of the girl and getting the details of how she was murdered, they realize it was identical to the murder of Casey 12 years earlier. Fearing there is a copycat killer, the teens go to the police cheif expressing their concern, only the cheif refuses to take them seriously. Privatly he tells his closest officers to do whatever it takes to keep the details private to the main public, refusing to have what happened 12 years ago resurface. Not getting anywhere with the police the teens ban together to find the killer on their own, as one by one each teen friend falls victim to the killer, the remaining teens fight for survival. Now foward to Dewey and Gale. They are married with an 8yo daughter, Tatum, named for Dewey's sister. Living in Maine, they themselves try to keep a low profile still devestated over Sid and Mark's murders. Until the news of the copycat killings in Woodsboro draws them back in. They now find themselves back in Woodsboro, where not only will they have to fight for their own survival to catch a killer, but face the demons from the past. As for the killer? I was tossing around the idea of Mark's cop partner from the third one. Something about him gave me the creeps lol. Or another idea was the Carrie Fisher character in the third one. I forgot her name. She was kinda wierd too lol. Both seem like they would get into the whole copycat killer idea. Another thought was Rebecca Gayheart from the second one. She was the frat girl. She was a great killer in Urban Legend. She was kinda dark too lol. Any other ideas?
shane tea french

I think it's FUNNY as HELL that Kevin Williamson fucking TORCHED his career by turning his back on SCREAM 3 and left us with the piece of shit they made. I'd love to see him come crawling back to his fans for a SCREAM 4. AND fuck NEVE too!!! That bitch was all "oh, I don't really like horror." And didn't do nudity because she was above it in WILD THINGS then when her career is in the shitter, does full frontal in THE COMPANY. Bitch, the ghost face is back: SHOW DEM TITTIES!!!! I want a Scream 4. They can't fuck it up worse than 3 Unless Arron Krueger writes it.
Billy Loomis

I for one would not mind seeing a 4th. Seeing as how all the scream movies are like a learning tool lol. Remember what Stu said, "Watch a few movies, take a few notes." lol. I just want to see more carefully planned murders in the fourth one though. I just hope Sids in it, I didnt get my chance to kill her in 1996 so now Im back from the dead and she will die lol. Billy Loomis Woodsboro, California Responsible for 5 deaths, Casey, Steve, Hilbert, Tatum, and Mrs. Prescott, that slut bag whore. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Billy Loomis

Made an error, I meant Himbry. Lol. Been so long I forgot his name lol.
Guerra

I think all the Screams are kick ass! So yea I hope they make a new one.
timmy

my family loves scream it would be great to see a scream 4 i want to sydney die at last.)or dewey or gale
tucker

not sure about it would like to see another one if its done right, the origanal cast the ones that are still alive that is would have to be back and it would have to be one hell off a story so hollywood dont ruin a good franchise
Trav

I liked 1,2,3 bring on 4 B-)?Ps fave charicter is randy:-)
John Catsle

Hey it sounds like it could be good, give it a chance.
patt

i wouldlove a scream four dewey the killer and the movie betterr not suckk becausee this should be the last one so make it good!!!