Here’s a report that, if true, won’t surprise any of us that have been following SCREAM 4‘s rocky progress. As you probably know, the film has lost two actresses in as many weeks – Lake Bell and Lauren Graham – as well as had an actress drop out for unknown reasons (Ashley Greene). All this leading to lots of speculation as to whether or not this meant there was real trouble in the land of Hillsboro… well, according to gossip site Zap2It, yes, there is.
First, they say that Lauren Graham dropped out because her role, as Emma Roberts’ mother, was significantly reduced (guess that would be the “script changes” hinted at). Second, they say Ehren Kruger – the genius behind SCREAM 3 and THE RING TWO – has come aboard to rewrite the screenplay, as Kevin Williamson is completely out of the picture now. Yeah, because who do you want writing your new SCREAM movie – the guy who wrote the first one, or the third one? (They go on to say that Williamson is officially done with the franchise.) Finally, the site claims that Hayden Panettiere’s role, which one source says “used to be really sharp” has now been “dumbed down significantly.” The actress is evidently “beyond frustrated with the changes.”
That’s the Weinsteins for ya – micro managing and reworking a project until it’s a fraction of what it once was. Although who knows, maybe this was never a good idea to begin with…