Moviefone Editorial

Tag: scream

  • Two Mickey Mouse Horror Movies in the Works

    'Untitled Steam Boat Willie Horror Movie.'
    ‘Untitled Steam Boat Willie Horror Movie.’ Photo: Sleight of Hand Productions / Andrew L. Kern.

    Preview:

    • The ‘Steamboat Willie’ version of Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain.
    • Filmmakers are taking advantage of that –– for horror movies.
    • Disney, though, maintains the copyright on more modern incarnations.

    As the estate behind A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories can no doubt attest, having your beloved, child-friendly characters enter the public domain is not a lot of fun. Especially as there are filmmakers just waiting for the chance to turn cute, sweet creations into murderous monsters.

    Last year’s ‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey’ was pretty dreadful, scoring 3% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it earned $4 million from a $100,000 budget (and it really shows), so director Rhys Frake-Waterfield has already worked on a sequel to keep his momentum going.

    And now one of Disney’s most iconic creations, Mickey Mouse, is suffering the same fate, turning from an (admittedly weird) cute version into a murder-happy terror.

    XApNuOEghpjazsNeGtFA53

    What does it mean for characters to enter the public domain?

    1928's 'Steamboat Willie.'
    1928’s ‘Steamboat Willie.’

    Characters such as Winnie the Pooh and, now Mickey Mouse, have a set period of time in which they are the sole copyright of their creators or the company that represents them. The 1928 versions of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other characters appearing in ‘Steamboat Willie’ became public domain as of this past Monday, which means that anyone can now use them to create new material.

    But to be clear, it’s those specific versions –– more current incarnations, such as those with Mickey’s more recognizable pants and gloves, are still controlled by Disney, which plans to defend its rights to the full extent of the law.

    Here’s what the company said in a statement:

    “We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright, and we will work to safeguard against consumer confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey and our other iconic characters.”

    So yes, while we’ll see the ‘Steamboat Willie’ Mickey causing chaos on screens, the more up to date one will still be doing his wholesome thing at theme parks and on billions of dollars of merchandise.

    Related Article: D23 Expo 2022: Disney Studios Presentation

    What’s happening with the ‘Steamboat Willie’ Mickey?

    'Mickey’s Mouse Trap.'
    ‘Mickey’s Mouse Trap.’ Photo: Into Frame Productions.

    As of right now, two horror movies (and one horror game) are at different stages.

    One is ‘Mickey’s Mouse Trap’, which sees someone sporting a Mickey costume murdering people in a locale that feels very similar to last year’s ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s, with a side of the genre awareness found in movies such as ‘Scream’, with characters discussing tropes.

    Directed by Jamie Bailey, the film has a teaser out in the world (see below) and a synopsis: It’s Alex’s 21st birthday, but she’s stuck at the amusement arcade on a late shift so her friends decide to surprise her, but a masked killer dressed as Mickey Mouse decides to play a game of his own with them which she must survive.

    Starring Sophie McIntosh, Callum Sywyk, Allegra Nocita, Ben Harris, Damir Kovic, Mackenzie Mills, Nick Biskupek and Simon Phillips, the movie has yet to announce a formal release date but is apparently eyeing March.

    Here’s what Bailey said in a statement about the movie:

    “We just wanted to have fun with it all. I mean it’s ‘Steamboat Willie’s Mickey Mouse murdering people. It’s ridiculous. We ran with it and had fun doing it and I think it shows.”

    Then, we have an untitled movie that looks to retain more of the ‘Steamboat Willie’ concept, albeit with a killer twist.

    Steven LaMorte, who has character-borrowing form thanks to making Grinch-inspired horror ‘The Mean One’ is set to direct an untitled horror-comedy based on Mickey’s cartoon debut. In it, a sadistic mouse will torment a group of unsuspecting ferry passengers. Production is set to begin in the spring.

    LaMorte said this about his new movie:

    “Steamboat Willie has brought joy to generations, but beneath that cheerful exterior lies a potential for pure, unhinged terror. It’s a project I’ve been dreaming of, and I can’t wait to unleash this twisted take on this beloved character to the world. We are doing our due diligence to make sure there’s no question or confusion of what we’re up to. This is our version of a public domain character. It’s a scary thrill ride with heart and humor, based on this character that everybody knows.”

    What about the Mickey horror game?

    'Infestation-88.'
    ‘Infestation-88.’ Photo: Via Nightmare Forge games.

    It’s not just the movie side that is making use of Mickey. According to IGN, Nightmare Forge games has announced ‘Infestation 88’, a new 1-4 player survival horror co-op game that aims to infuse nostalgia with scares.

    Here’s the synopsis for the game:

    “In the year 1988, what was thought to be an outbreak of rodents in various locations morphed into something far more sinister. Sometimes you’ll need to fight, sometimes you’ll need to run, and sometimes you’ll need to hide in a locker. You can set traps and utilize CCTV cameras to try and stay one step ahead of the infestation, and item layouts are randomized in order to help keep matches fresh.”

    The game has not announced a formal release date yet, but you can wishlist it on Steam.

    Disney's 100th Anniversary.
    Disney’s 100th Anniversary.

    Other Movies Featuring Mickey Mouse:

    Buy Disney Animated Movies on Amazon

     

  • ‘Scream VI’ Loses Director Christopher Landon

    Christopher Landon attends Netflix's 'We Have A Ghost' Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
    Christopher Landon attends Netflix’s ‘We Have A Ghost’ Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Preview:

    • Director Christopher Landon announced via social media that he’s left the new ‘Scream’ Movie.
    • The move follows the firing of Melissa Barrera and the departure of co-star Jenna Ortega.
    • ‘Scream VII’ is currently not dated for release.

    ‘Scream VII’ is starting to feel like a victim of its own iconic Ghostface killer, hunted down by the forces of bad luck and bad karma. The latest strike is the departure of director Christopher Landon, who follows stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega away from the movie (the actors departed for different reasons, more on that below).

    Landon, who previously directed the ‘Happy Death Day’ movies and ‘Freaky’ was hired back in August to take over stewardship of the new movie after Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who effectively rebooted the ‘Scream’ franchise with last year’s ‘Scream’ and followed it up with this year’s ‘Scream VI’.

    xn1Putz3RwmjIHJsUIliM6

    Christopher Landon on his departure

    Christopher Landon attends Netflix's 'We Have A Ghost' Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
    Christopher Landon attends Netflix’s ‘We Have A Ghost’ Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Landon, in a twitter post, explained his moving on and the reasons for it:

    “I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited ‘Scream 7’ weeks ago. This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on. I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”

    Related Article: ‘Happy Death Day’ and ‘Freaky’ Director Christopher Landon Hired For ‘Scream VII’

    Why is Jenna Ortega not returning for the seventh ‘Scream’ movie?

    Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix's 'Wednesday'
    Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Officially, the story, according to Deadline is one of scheduling issues brought about because of the actors’ strike –– Ortega has a few days’ work left to complete ‘Beetlejuice 2’ and will spend a chunk of next year filming the second season of hit Netflix series ‘Wednesday’ in Ireland.

    With ‘Scream’ looking to get the movie going ahead now the strikes are over, it appeared she simply won’t have time to make both projects.

    We’re still not certain why Spyglass (and studio Paramount) couldn’t simply hit pause until Ortega had space in her schedule, but of course the franchise needs to rumble on.

    Yet the timing is also intriguing given the other big ‘Scream’ wrinkle…

    What happened with Melissa Barrera and ‘Scream’?

    Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    (L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Why are we a little suspicious of the timing? The Ortega news arrives one day after her co-star Melissa Barrera was dropped from the franchise for social media posts supporting Palestine in the tragic, ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

    While calling for a cease fire in the conflict might not seem all that controversial, some of the reposts on Barrera’s Instagram account have edged over into potentially troubling opinions on Jews.

    ‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:

    “Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”

    When will ‘Scream VII’ be released?

    With no director and a likely need for big re-writes to accommodate a casting change, ‘Scream VII’ is on pause for now and has no set release date.

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Movies in the ‘Scream’ franchise:

    Buy ‘Scream’ Movies on Amazon

    0z9EbEVy

  • Jenna Ortega Won’t Star in ‘Scream VII’

    Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix's 'Wednesday'
    Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Preview:

    • Jenna Ortega is no longer appearing in ‘Scream VII’.
    • She reportedly has a schedule clash with filming ‘Wednesday’ Season 2.
    • The news comes just as co-star Melissa Barrera is dropped from the film over controversial social media posts.

    The ‘Scream’ franchise has been hit with a one-two punch of its main stars departing.

    Today brings word that Jenna Ortega, who has played Tara Carpenter for the most recent two entries (directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), will not return for the seventh installment.

    xn1Putz3RwmjIHJsUIliM6

    Why is Jenna Ortega not returning for the seventh ‘Scream’ movie?

    Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in 'Wednesday.'
    Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in ‘Wednesday.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.

    Officially, the story, according to Deadline is one of scheduling issues brought about because of the actors’ strike –– Ortega has a few days’ work left to complete ‘Beetlejuice 2’ and will spend a chunk of next year filming the second season of hit Netflix series ‘Wednesday’ in Ireland.

    With the ‘Scream’ team (including incoming director Christopher Landon, who was hired to make the new movie back in August) looking to get the movie going ahead now the strikes are over, it appears she simply won’t have time to make both projects.

    We’re still not certain why Spyglass (and studio Paramount) couldn’t simply hit pause until Ortega had space in her schedule, but of course the franchise needs to rumble on.

    Yet the timing is also intriguing given the other big ‘Scream’ wrinkle…

    What happened with Melissa Barrera and ‘Scream’?

    Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    (L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Why are we a little suspicious of the timing? The Ortega news arrives one day after her co-star Melissa Barrera was dropped from the franchise for controversial social media posts.

    ‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:

    “Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”

    And Landon put his own statement on Twitter, but then deleted it:

    “This is my statement: 💔 Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.”

    What’s next for ‘Scream’?

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’ © 2022 Paramount Pictures. Ghost Face is a Registered Trademark of Fun World Div., Easter Unlimited, Inc. ©1999. All Rights Reserved.

    Obviously losing its two main stars (Ortega in particular had been a big draw for the last couple of movies) is a huge issue for the ‘Scream’ series, and it’ll mean some serious reconsideration in creative terms.

    There are certainly paths forward, including a movie that returns the focus to the surviving veteran cast, including Courteney Cox (and potentially backing a dump truck full of money to Neve Campbell’s house to try and tempt her back after she skipped the most recent film) or going the reboot route completely with a fresh cast trying survive Ghostface’s stalk-and-slash machinations.

    Related Article: Jenna Ortega in Talks to Star in ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel With Tim Burton Directing

    When will the next ‘Scream’ movie be in theaters?

    As of now, the new ‘Scream’ is not far enough along to lock down a release date. Especially given that it’ll need a giant re-write…

    Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter), Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin) and Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin) star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    (L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter), Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin) and Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin) star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Movies in the ‘Scream’ franchise:

    Buy ‘Scream’ Movies on Amazon

    0z9EbEVy

  • Original ‘Scream’ Writer Kevin Williamson on the Neve Campbell Pay Issue

    Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Executive Producer Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 2022's 'Scream.'
    (L to R) Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Executive Producer Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s 2022’s ‘Scream.’

    Perhaps the most controversial element of the most recent ‘Scream’ outing (that would be ‘Scream VI’, for those keeping count) was the fact that franchise stalwart Neve Campbell, who has played Sidney Prescott since the start, opted not to return, citing a lowball pay offer.

    The movie proceeded on regardless, only dropping a one-line mention of Sidney preferring to stay with her young family rather than thrusting herself back into stabby danger.

    Yet according to Kevin Williamson, whose roots also go back to the first ‘Scream’ (he wrote the 1996 original, its 1997 sequel and 2011’s ‘Scream 4’), production company Spyglass made the wrong call in not cranking open its wallet further to bring Campbell, and therefore Sidney, back.

    Kevin Williamson on the Neve Campbell pay situation.

    Neve Campbell
    Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”

    Talking on the Happy Horror Time podcast, Williamson was vocal about the decision.

    Here’s what he had to say:

    “I totally respect her opinion. I know exactly where she’s coming from, I know her well. I love and adore her and that’s what she did. It’s right for her. I love everyone involved in ‘Scream’ and all I can say is, pay her the money. That’s what I would do, I would give her the money. I’m sure there’s a number they can agree on that will make them both happy, so hopefully one day they will figure that out.”

    Williamson didn’t write either of the last two movies (that job went to James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, who crafted the scripts for directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, taking over from the late Wes Craven), but he’s still involved as an executive producer.

    And on a more interesting note, he also used the podcast appearance to outline his ideas for where he would have taken Sidney’s story following ‘Scream 4’.

    Related Article: Neve Campbell Turns Down “Undervalued” Offer to Return For ‘Scream 6’

    Williamson’s alternate future plans

    Executive Producer Kevin Williamson and Ghostface on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream.'
    Executive Producer Kevin Williamson and Ghostface on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream.’

    Williamson said this about his own ideas:

    “‘Scream IV,’ ‘V,’ and ‘VI’ would have been the love story of Sidney Prescott, and it would’ve been this whole thing of she’s falling in love, she’s going to get married, it’s all based around her marriage when these murders start happening again. It’s like, is this man that she’s in love with the killer again? Is she Billy Loomis-ing herself all over again? Is she still making the wrong decisions? Is she still choosing the bad guy?”

    We’ll probably never know the answer, because there’s a whole new behind-the-scenes team being assembled for ‘Scream VII’.

    What’s happening with ‘Scream VII’?

    Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Last month, the news arrived that because of their commitment to an untitled Universal monster movie, Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin were moving on from the ‘Scream’ franchise (and, after cranking out two successful movies, we don’t blame them for wanting to try something fresh).

    Instead, ‘Happy Death Day’ and ‘Freaky’s Christopher Landon is aboard to develop the seventh entry, though obviously it’s currently in limbo because of the writers and actors’ strikes. Still Campbell’s character is still alive, so there remains a chance she could return. Assuming, of course the price is right.

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Movies in the ‘Scream’ franchise:

    Buy ‘Scream’ Movies on Amazon

    c7krPlnl

     

  • Movie Review: ‘Scream VI’

    Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Hacking its way into theaters on March 10th, ‘Scream VI’ represents the latest attempt to mine the sprawling serial slasher movie series.

    How far is too far with franchise sequels? It’s something that was on the mind of 2022’s confusingly titled ‘Scream’, which looked to start a new chapter of the veteran horror franchise while, as is usual with these movies, grappling with the legacy of both the established storyline and the genre itself.

    Directed by ‘Ready or Not’ duo Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, it was a savvy, sometimes scary success, though not the best entry in the franchise even given the ways it played with the concept. But its box office bonanza ($137 million worldwide from a $24 million budget) means the pair, alongside writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, are back for a second stab at Ghostface killings.

    mEm8Zq5l2ZkjmSmCSSuBE7

    What’s the story of ‘Scream VI’?

    Picking up the story roughly one year since the events of last year’s ‘Scream’ “rebootquel”, which charted a new story around characters such as Jenna Ortega’s Tara Carpenter, Melissa Barrera’s Sam Carpenter and twins Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding), all of whom had links to either killers or victims from earlier movies.

    Having survived the seemingly traditional slayings in their home of Woodsboro, California, the foursome have moved to New York City, where Tara, Chad and Mindy are attending college. They’re trying to put the past behind them –– especially Tara, who just wants to have fun with booze and boys –– but Sam is still haunted by the last round of killings and her actions. She’s even in therapy working through her feelings.

    And she has extra reason to be concerned, as someone online is spreading the conspiracy theory that Sam actually framed the real killers, one that is taking root among the city’s citizens (witness an early encounter where someone throws a drink in her face and calls her a murderer).

    You can imagine their shared horror, then, when the legacy of Ghostface appears to follow them to the big city, first via a pair of fellow college students and then in ways they truly did not predict. Fandom for the ‘Stab’ movies plays a big part in the new movie, as does legacy.

    Which means that our heroes once more afraid for their lives again, Mindy outlining the rules of continuing franchises in true ‘Scream’ fashion and starting to suspect that the people around them could all be suspects…

    Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    (L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Related Article: ‘Scream 6’ Adds Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori

    What works about ‘Scream VI’?

    The cast for this one remain game and relatable, with Ortega and Barrera carrying the emotional load while Brown and Gooding bring the lore and the laughs. Courteney Cox, of course, still knows exactly how to sell Gale’s blend of cynicism and moxie (and her presence offers a little extra tension this time around given that the main characters are annoyed that she’s spun the tragedy of the previous movie into another cash grab book).

    Hayden Panettiere returns from ‘Scream 4’ as Kirby Reed, and the team finds an interesting new avenue for her that feels distinct from some other legacy characters. And when the big revelations start to drop, they mostly feel organic.

    The location shift from Woodsboro –– which is something that has only happened in a couple of other ‘Scream’ entries –– makes for some impressive new set pieces, including one set at a Bodega (where the owner of course has a shotgun stashed behind the counter) that puts the audience in mind of the raptor/kitchen scene in ‘Jurassic Park,’ a tense chase in an apartment building that features a high drop and a ladder and the main cast crammed into a crowded subway train that is full of people in costumes, including more than one Ghostface.

    It also offers a new tone and feeling to the show, the dark streets and towering buildings of the city a fertile hunting ground for whoever is in the masked costume.

    Hayden Panettiere (Kirby Reed) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Hayden Panettiere (Kirby Reed) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Are there problems with ‘Scream VI’?

    One huge issue with any modern ‘Scream’ is the burden and bulk of the franchise. There have been six films now and so many different variations of killer (usually killers) that it’s hard to find something fresh for a new iteration. ‘Scream VI’ stretches this a little too thin in a few places, wanting to be so clever with the idea of the films’ legacy that it rolls around into a few dumb, unoriginal concepts.

    Some of the new characters, by dint of where they end up, feel less developed, and while the opening scene (featuring someone from ‘Ready or Not’) looks to play on the idea of movie-series-within-the-movie ‘Stab’ as something that people study a little too closely, but is mostly played for cheap scares.

    Neve Campbell
    Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”

    Do you miss Neve Campbell’s Sidney in ‘Scream VI’?

    The big issue, and indeed test for the new movie is the absence of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, who bowed out of appearing in this one because the studio offered her an embarrassingly low payday.

    While franchises do survive without core cast members, Sidney’s absence is certainly felt, since she has been the heart of ‘Scream’ since the 1996 original. Yet her removal is not such a wound that the film collapses –– Courteney Cox is still around of course, and while Gale brings a different energy to the movie than Sidney, her link to the past is still welcome.

    It’s also an opportunity to open the story up to other legacy characters such as Panettiere’s Reed, who has her own trauma to work through and is used in interesting fashion here.

    Overall, ‘Scream VI’ tries a little too hard to squeeze in everything about the franchise, and the seams perhaps show a little more than in the directors’ previous outing. It’s still fun and energetic, though, and should please fans who have stuck with the movies this far.

    ‘Scream VI’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Srceam VI:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Scream VI’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘Scream’ Movies on Amazon

    ‘Scream VI’ is produced by Paramount, Radio Silence, Project X Entertainment, and Spyglass Media Group. It is set to release in theaters on March 10, 2023.

  • ‘Scream 6’ Adds Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori

    Samara Weaving as Major O'Hara / Scarlett in 'Snake Eyes.'
    Samara Weaving as Major O’Hara / Scarlett in ‘Snake Eyes.’

    Cameras are rolling on the next ‘Scream’ Movie, which, while it’s being referred to as ‘Scream 6’, will more likely end up titled ‘Scream II’ or some immediate sequel variant, since the most recent movie was simply called ‘Scream’.

    With directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett once more overseeing the movie, they’ve added two new cast members in Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori.

    Weaving has experience with the directors – she starred as a young woman who marries into a wealthy family, only to discover their dark gaming traditions in ‘Ready or Not’, which was the movie that is partly responsible for the pair landing the job in the ‘Scream’ world.

    Revolori, meanwhile, is more known for his work with Wes Anderson and acting as smug high schooler Flash Thompson in the latest three live-action ‘Spider-Man’ movies.

    This year’s ‘Scream’ successfully brought the movie series back to screens, featuring a combination of younger cast members (including Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding and Jenna Ortega) and the returning likes of Courteney Cox, Neve Campbell and David Arquette.

    'Scream' 2022 Poster Courtesy of Paramount
    ‘Scream’ 2022 Poster Courtesy of Paramount

    It has so far made more than $140 million worldwide and a sequel was announced almost as soon as it debuted. As it turns out, the creative team – which includes James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick once again co-writing the script – had already been figuring out what the next movie should be, which explains while it’s already in production.

    Barrera, Brown, Gooding and Ortega are all officially confirmed to be coming back for more, having survived their encounter with the cloaked menace in the last movie, called, like the original, simply, ‘Scream’.

    Spyglass Media and Paramount have yet to announce much about the story, save for the hint that it follows those four surviving younger characters leaving the town of Woodsboro behind to start a fresh chapter in their lives.

    Also on board for this latest movie is veteran Courteney Cox, once more back as intrepid journalist Gale Weathers, plus Hayden Panettiere, returning as Kirby Reed, who last tangled with Ghostface-related terror in ‘Scream 4’.

    New this time are Dermot Mulroney, Liana Liberato, Josh Segarra, Jack Champion, Devyn Nekoda and Henry Czerny.

    Controversially, one person who won’t be on screen (at least at time of writing) is Neve Campbell, who, like Cox is a franchise veteran. She turned down a lowball pay offer to come back again.

    “Sadly, I won’t be making the next ‘Scream’ film,” Campbell said in a statement. “As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to ‘Scream’. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.”

    There have been rumors of a boosted offer to star not just in this next film but also a potential seventh outing, but nothing is official right now.

    Whatever the final title is, the next ‘Scream’ will be dialing up some scares in theaters from March 31 next year.

    mEm8Zq5l2ZkjmSmCSSuBE7

  • Neve Campbell Won’t be Back for Next ‘Scream’ Movie

    Neve Campbell
    Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”

    In the months since the most recent entry in the Ghostface franchise – simply titled ‘Scream’, despite being the fifth movie – we’ve had a flurry of stories that represent good news for fans.

    In February, a month after the latest movie opened, we learned that the next one is already in the works, with directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, part of the filmmaking collective known as Radio Silence, returning behind the camera along with writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick.

    That was followed by word that ‘Scream 4’s Hayden Panettiere would be back as her character, Kirby Reed. And just this month, Dermot Mulroney was recruited to join the movie, set to play a cop (which doesn’t point to the healthiest life expectancy for his character).

    But then came the bad news: Neve Campbell, one of the veterans of the franchise, the woman who has brought stalker slasher survivor Sidney Prescott to life in every one of the movies so far, would not be returning for this new one.

    And, as it turns out, it’s because she’s taking a stand over a lowball pay offer. “Sadly, I won’t be making the next ‘Scream’ film,” Campbell says in a statement. “As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to ‘Scream’. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.”

    Neve Campbell
    Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”

    Campbell has a point – this is a run of movies that has so far made around $774 million in the last two decades plus, and fans do keep coming back to see how Sidney fares.

    She goes on to add: “It’s been a very difficult decision to move on. To all my ‘’Scream fans, I love you. You’ve always been so incredibly supportive to me. I’m forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years.”

    The movie has yet to start shooting, so there remains hope that Paramount could dig into its pockets (recently lined with lots of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ money) and put forth a better offer.

    Fellow ‘Scream’ stalwart Courtney Cox will be back for the new movie as Gale Weathers, and the cast is led by the survivors of this year’s ‘Scream’ – Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin), Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter), whose characters are moving out of Woodsboro to try and start the next chapter of their lives.

    Little else is known about the plot so far, save that Ghostface will naturally be back to terrorize everyone and there’ll be plenty of references to horror movies. Ortega has described the script as getting “more and more gory” as it goes along, and that the masked menace will be “the most aggressive and violent version” yet.

    ‘Scream 6’ is due in theaters on March 31, 2023.

    mEm8Zq5l2ZkjmSmCSSuBE7

  • Hayden Panettiere Back for New ‘Scream’ Sequel

    Hayden Panettiere on NBC's 'Heroes.'
    Hayden Panettiere on NBC’s ‘Heroes.’

    ‘Scream’ is a franchise that has not shied away from bringing back people who have appeared in previous movies. In fact, it revels in it.

    So for the next outing full of Ghostface-led killings, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have recruited someone from the movies’ past – Hayden Panettiere, who starred as Kirby Reed in 2011’s ‘Scream 4’.

    The most recent ‘Scream’ outing, which arrived this year, successfully brought the movie series back to screens, featuring a combination of younger cast members (including Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding and Jenna Ortega) and the returning likes of Courteney Cox, Neve Campbell and David Arquette.

    It has so far made more than $140 million worldwide and a sequel was announced almost as soon as it debuted. As it turns out, the writing and directing team – which includes James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick once again co-writing the script and Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett back calling the shots – had already been figuring out what the next movie should be, and the cameras will be rolling this summer.

    Barrera, Brown, Gooding and Ortega are all officially confirmed to be coming back for more, having survived their encounter with the cloaked menace in the last movie, called, like the original, simply, ‘Scream’.

    Spyglass Media and Paramount have yet to announce much about the story, save for the hint that it follows those four surviving younger characters leaving the town of Woodsboro behind to start a fresh chapter in their lives. This being a ‘Scream’ movie, however, they can expect blood to be splashed across that chapter before too long.

    (L to R) David Arquette and Courteney Cox in Paramount Pictures "Scream."
    (L to R) David Arquette and Courteney Cox in Paramount Pictures “Scream.”

    We don’t yet know whether Cox or Campbell will also be back (spoiler alert in case you’ve yet to see the 2022 ‘Scream’: Arquette’s Dewey Riley didn’t make it out alive), but we’re sure there’s scope for the veterans to show up again should the story call for it.

    Panettiere’s Reed was more of a best friend character in her movie when it started, but she rose to full hero status and ended up almost mortally wounded yet survived to see another day. She’ll probably be hoping that she makes it out of the next movie intact, but we’re interested to see how she factors in.

    Also intriguing? What the next ‘Scream’ will be focused upon, since the last one took on legacy sequels and more recent horror trends. Plus, what will it be called? ‘Scream 2’ ‘Scream And Scream Again?’

    The movie will mark a return to screens for Panettiere, who hasn’t appeared since finishing up work on TV’s ‘Nashville’. It’s notable that she’s thanked in the credits of the last ‘Scream’.

    Assuming all goes to plan, the next ‘Scream’ movie will be slashing its way into theaters on March 31st next year. You can just imagine Ghostface trying to figure out which phone plan will offer the best deal – because there will be some calls to make, and questions to ask…

    'Scream' 2022 Poster Courtesy of Paramount
    ‘Scream’ 2022 Poster Courtesy of Paramount
    mEm8Zq5l2ZkjmSmCSSuBE7

  • ‘Scream’ Sequel in the Works

    'Scream' 2022 Poster Courtesy of Paramount
    ‘Scream’ 2022 Poster Courtesy of Paramount

    Do you like scary movies? Paramount is hoping you do.

    With this year’s ‘Scream’ legacy sequel scoring big business at the box office already, the studio is ready to take yet another stab at the long-running horror franchise.

    The company, alongside production company Spyglass, have the same team responsible for that movie returning to create more terror for the residents of the not-always-sleepy town of Woodsboro.

    Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, part of the filmmaking collective known as Radio Silence, will direct again, with the script courtesy of returning writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick.

    The latest ‘Scream’ – which was simply known by that name, rather than ‘Scream 5’, successfully relaunched the franchise when it opened in January. To date, it has earned more than $62.6 million domestically and $106.7 million worldwide. It brought audiences back to Woodsboro, where a new killer wearing a Ghostface mask stalked a group of young friends.

    Among the new faces introduced were Melissa Barrera’s Sam, Jack Quaid’s Richie, Mikey Madison’s Amber, Jenna Ortega’s Tara, Dylan Minnette’s Wes, Jasmin Savoy Brown’s Mindy, and Mason Gooding’s Chad, many of whom had links to characters from the original movies.

    There were also appearances from franchise veterans Courteney Cox, David Arquette and Neve Campbell.

    (L to R) David Arquette and Courteney Cox in Paramount Pictures "Scream."
    (L to R) David Arquette and Courteney Cox in Paramount Pictures “Scream.”

    Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett should have the cameras rolling this summer, with the plot being kept secret. Though surely, we know the formula by now: some references to other horror movies, a scary phone call or two and lots of running, screaming, slashing, and slaying. And as for who will be back? We won’t spoil those who don’t survive this year’s movie.

    The ‘Scream’ franchise, of course, started life in 1996 with Wes Craven’s original movie, written by Kevin Williamson. It deconstructed the genre with characters mentioning rules for surviving horror movies and still layered on plenty of terror for the teenagers who are targeted by the masked killer.

    Craven went on to make three more movies, each more referential than the last, and tackling different themes such as the pressure to make a sequel and movie adaptations of horror tales.

    “We are tremendously grateful to the fans around the world who enthusiastically received our film. We can’t wait for audiences to see what Radio Silence, writers Jamie & Guy and Project X have in store for our Woodsboro family,” Spyglass and Paramount said in a joint statement.

    “Working with such a wonderful and talented family of creators — and in the lineage Wes and Kevin so expertly built — has been the thrill of a lifetime, and we’re so excited to bring the next chapter in the ‘Scream’ saga to life,” Radio Silence added.

    “Is this real life? Getting to collaborate once again with our friends on the next installment of the ‘Scream’ story is more than we could have hoped for,” commented writers Vanderbilt and Busick. “We are overwhelmed that we get to continue to play in the sandbox that Kevin and Wes created. It is, as Ghostface would say, an honor.”

    rIvyeDc2vhvbAOxRqYyXU7

  • ‘Scream’ Movie Facts You Need to Know

    Scream movie 2022
    Paramount Pictures

    The new ‘Scream‘ movie is in theaters now and doing pretty well at the box office with $30.6M on it’s opening weekend.

    rIvyeDc2vhvbAOxRqYyXU7

    Since the first film’s release on December 20, 1996, there have now been four sequels that have grossed over $615 million worldwide, and counting, as well as a spinoff series on MTV. “Scream” not only became the most lucrative slasher-film series ever, but it also revitalized the teen horror genre.

    Still, as inescapable and relentless as the “Scream” franchise has been, there are still a lot of secrets behind that mask. Here are 16 terrifying tidbits of trivia.

    3309

    1. “Scream” was originally a screenplay by Kevin Williamson called “Scary Movie,” inspired in part by the real-life killings of five college students in Gainesville, Florida in 1990. But Dimension studio chief Bob Weinstein didn’t think the title reflected Williamson’s blend of horror and comedy.

    2. Inspired by the recent Michael Jackson hit, Weinstein renamed the picture “Scream” but kept the “Scary Movie” title for the horror-spoof franchise launched in 2000.

    3. Horror master Wes Craven turned down the movie several times, but the director changed his mind when he learned an actress of Drew Barrymore‘s stature was involved. Barrymore was initially cast as heroine Sidney Prescott, but she then shifted to the smaller role of first victim Casey Becker due to her busy schedule.

    4. Friends” star in a bitchy role. The filmmakers considered Brooke Shields and Janeane Garofalo, but Cox assured them she could play against type.

    5. The menacing phone voice of Ghostface in all the movies belongs to Roger L. Jackson, who also voices the villainous chimp Mojo Jojo on “Powerpuff Girls.” During production of the first three films, none of the other actors even met Jackson but only heard his voice when talking to him on the phone; Craven thought that would make their fear more convincing.

    6. Because of “Scream’s” extreme violence and gore, Craven had to recut and submit it to the ratings board eight times in hope of avoiding an NC-17 rating. Craven even lied that he had no alternate, less bloody take of Barrymore’s stabbing. Eventually, Weinstein persuaded the board that “Scream” deserved an R because the movie was satirizing violence, not glorifying it.

    7. With the success of “Scream,” the sequel was rushed into production, shooting in July 1997 for a release date that December. The haste led to a leak of the script, forcing Williamson to rewrite on set and change the identity of the killers.

    5305

    8. “I hate horror movies,” said Liev Schreiber, after he had played the menacing Cotton Weary in the first two installments. So why did he act in the series? Because he liked the idea of horror movies that were “in on the joke.” Also, he said, “because I knew I wouldn’t have to watch them. I would only have to be in them.” Soon after, he signed on for “Scream 3.”

    9. Cox and David Arquette (Deputy Dewey Riley) met on the set of “Scream.” By the time they shot “Scream 2,” they were a couple off-screen. Just before the “Scream 3” shoot, they got married. When “Scream 4” was shooting in 2010, they were on the verge of splitting up.

    7125

    10. The Columbine High School massacre in April 1999 made Hollywood much more sensitive, at least for a little while, about violence in teen entertainment. As a result, “Scream 3” was rewritten, taking it out of its initial high school setting, playing up the humor, and downplaying the violence.

    11. Williamson proposed a second trilogy in 2008, but only got as far as “Scream 4.” (Blame that film’s less-than-expected box office for why the fifth and sixth films never materialized.) Weinstein instead decided to launch the MTV series in June 2015. Craven’s death in August 2015 probably puts the kibosh on any more “Scream” movies.

    12. Campbell initially didn’t want to return for “Scream 4,” and Williamson had to write Sidney out of early drafts of the script.

    13. The “Scream 4″ filmmakers initially offered Scream Queens” star Emma Roberts.

    10034197

    14. Lauren Graham was cast as Roberts’ mom, but left the shoot after just a few days. Mary McDonnell replaced her.

    15. The Ghostface mask was designed by retailer Fun World in 1991, inspired (aptly) by Edvard Munch’s famous painting “The Scream.” It was also inspired by a figure from Gerald Scarfe’s artwork from Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” album and some ghost figures in an old Betty Boop cartoon.

    Scream movie mask
    Dimension

    16. The “Scream” franchise has reportedly made the mask, along with the ragged-edged cloak used in the films, into the best-selling Halloween costume in America.