WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT “SCREAM 5”
Horror fans had breaking Scream news today when it was officially announced that Sidney Prescott herself, Neve Campbell, will be reprising her iconic role in Scream 5. This was hopeful news after teasing fans that she had met with directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (best known as Radio Silence) and thought their new concept was promising. Campbell states,
“After spending time speaking with Radio Silence, they have shown such love, respect and admiration for Wes Craven & all that he’s created in the Scream franchise. I am beyond excited to step back into the role of Sidney Prescott and return to Woodsboro.”
This comes after the news that original stars Courteney Cox and David Arquette would also be returning to their memorable roles. It only made sense to keep fans in anticipation by announcing Campell’s return after both of them. There is no Scream without the character of Sidney Prescott, so I would have found it highly surprising if they would have moved forward without her. Let me rephrase that, Scream 5 may have been made with a younger cast, but I don’t think Cox or Arquette would have signed on if Campbell had turned it down. The Scream trio of Sidney, Dewey, and Gail are the life and soul of this franchise. It was also announced today that Marley Shelton would be returning as her Scream 4 character, Officer Judy Hicks. Hope she brings those lemon squares!
Speaking of the younger cast, new to the Scream family are Jack Quaid (The Boys), Jenna Ortega (You), Melissa Barrera (In the Heights), Jasmin Savoy Brown (The Leftovers), Dylan Minnette (Goosebumps), Mason Gooding (Love Victor), and Mikey Madison (Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood). I am really happy to see diversity represented in the new cast members.
Screenwriter Kevin Williamson is returning as a producer while James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick will pen the script. We don’t know much yet about the story, but Campbell’s statement seems to mention a return to Woodsboro where the murders all began in the first film and were ignited again in Scream 4.
Spyglass Media Group and Paramount Pictures will release Scream 5 in theaters January 14, 2022.
With all of this excitement around Scream 5, I would love it if you checked out my Scream retrospective, Everybody is Still a Suspect: A Look Back at Scream
Scream
SCREAM 2
SCREAM 3
SCREAM 4