Summary
- Excitement builds as Scream 7 begins filming with iconic characters and director Kevin Williamson.
- Williamson’s history with the Scream franchise ensures proper focus on Sidney Prescott and a balance of humor and horror.
- Neve Campbell’s return as Sidney and Williamson’s gratitude for the franchise’s success add to the anticipation.
Ghostface’s goofy grin, Sidney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) signature bravery, and the many references to horror movies are just a few reasons why I’ve loved the Scream franchise for decades. I’ve been hoping to hear more news about Scream 7 ever since Scream 6 was released in March 2023 and am excited that the sequel is now filming. It’s fun imagining this new Sidney vs. Ghostface story and what role the new characters could play in the creepy and funny tale.
I’m also happy that Kevin Williamson is directing Scream 7 as I’ve enjoyed his work for several years now. Williamson recently shared a photo of the Scream 7 logo on his Instagram account and also praised the cast and crew. It sounds like filming has been a great experience so far. Here’s why I’m on board with Williamson as director and what I think he will bring to the sequel.
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Why I’m Glad Kevin Williamson Is Directing Scream 7
Kevin Williamson has had a long career in Hollywood and created teen dramas such as Dawson’s Creek and The Vampire Diaries. He also directed the ’90s dark thriller Teaching Mrs. Tingle and wrote several horror movies, such as I Know What You Did Last Summer.
But most of all, he’s known for writing Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, which I would argue are some of the most important films in the slasher franchise. They established Ghostface as a memorable and iconic horror villain who likes calling his victims and quizzing them on this film genre. These movies also proved that even when Sidney leaves Woodsboro, whether at college or because she’s moved away, she always feels a pull to her hometown. Even if Sidney is living somewhere else in Scream 7, her past still haunts her, which will be fascinating to watch.
I think Williamson is the right director for Scream 7 because I’m a big fan of Williamson’s signature blend of emotion and scares. I like that in his work, characters are always put first. Sure, his TV show The Following starring Kevin Bacon wasn’t universally beloved. But the cult and serial killer storylines were almost second to the dynamic between former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Bacon) and the killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) he is trying to catch once again. Since Williamson was the one who first put pen to paper and crafted the iconic final girl Sidney Prescott, I feel confident that he will ensure that Sidney’s story is told properly. Instead of putting Sidney on the sidelines or focusing on newer characters who audiences don’t know, I think Williamson will spotlight the character fans want to see the most.
Williamson is also more than a little bit familiar with the tone of Scream since he wrote three of the movies. Matthew Lillard said Scream 6 was “too violent”, and whether or not fans liked that Ghostface used a shotgun, many wonder if that was a step too far. I appreciated that Scream 6 used the unique location of New York City. But I also hope that Williamson’s direction of Scream 7 will ensure that the sequel returns to its roots a little bit. Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4 have gory kills, but they’re also focused on the smart characters at the core of the story.
What Else Did Kevin Williamson Say About Scream 7?
Two big pieces of Scream 7 news came out in March 2024: Neve Campbell would play Sidney Prescott again and Kevin Williamson would direct the movie. Williamson posted about it on his Instagram account and wrote:
“It’s been nearly 30 years since my very first script, Scream, was directed by the legendary Wes Craven. I never would have predicted what it would become. Or that I would be directing the seventh installment of the franchise. I am overcome with gratitude and excitement, and I can’t wait to take this journey with Neve and the entire Scream family as we bring back Sidney Prescott in the next chapter of the Scream franchise. Thank you to all the Scream fans. You are the gift that keeps giving.”
Williamson has been positive about the entire Scream franchise. According to Deadline, in 2023, he was interviewed on the Happy Horror Time podcast and said that Campbell should be paid what she deserves to reprise her final girl role. In various interviews, he also praised Wes Craven’s talent as a horror filmmaker, including in a look back in The Hollywood Reporter to celebrate Scream‘s 25th anniversary in 2021.
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