By this point, we’ve all heard the rumors about the script issues behind SCREAM 4: Kevin Williamson, who penned SCREAM and SCREAM 2, originally wrote the script with plans for a new trilogy, but SCREAM 3 scribe Ehren Kruger was brought in for a last minute re-write.
Wes Craven has been pretty quiet about the issue, but during production he cryptically tweeted that he was “no longer in control of the script.” His unhappiness had many fans worried, but the director has finally opened up about the issue in a recent interview with Total Film:
“I was just stating the fact. In some ways it’s a Wes Craven film, and in way it’s not entirely, because it’s not a script I have control of. It’s ultimately controlled by what the studio wants in the script. My job is much more bringing whatever experience and expertise and creativity I can. [pause] Look, there was a bumpy period when things shifted over from Kevin to Ehren. I signed up to do a script by Kevin and unfortunately that didn’t go all the way through the shooting. But it certainly is Kevin’s script and concept and ideas and themes.”
So how will this effect the proposed next two entries in the series? Craven comments on the potential new trilogy: “When I initially met with Kevin, he sketched out what the next two would be, and I found it really fascinating. A lot depends on whether they come up with scripts to flesh out. But certainly, I’m up for it, if the script is there. It’s a fascinating thing to do two trilogies in a career.”
SCREAM 4 stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Adam Brody, Alison Brie, Anthony Anderson, Nico Tortorella, Marielle Jaffe (below), Rory Culkin, Erik Knudsen, Marley Shelton, Mary McDonnell, Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell. Catch the anticipated sequel in theaters on April 15th.