What a whirlwind this project has been from the start. From Kevin Williamson (writer of original SCREAM trilogy) trying to see his vision of a revival of the once mighty SCREAM franchise with a new trilogy to the troubles of getting the original cast back together including Neve Campbell...

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But finally the pieces of the puzzle started to come together and when Wes Craven confirmed he would be back in the director’s seat last June (2009) fans and movie buffs alike thought the stars may be in line to see Ghostface strike fear into an all new generation.

Fast forward to June of this year, after a heap of cast members were announced we started hearing rumblings that things we’re not perfect in Woodsboro so to speak and that due to some scheduling conflicts, or what was cited as scheduling conflicts, Lake Bell and then a week later Lauren Graham opted out of their contracts. Graham claiming both scheduling conflicts and what may have been a bigger story “script changes”. We should have started to worry then but the community kept plugging away as the news started to leak from Ann Arbor Michigan where shooting began a week ago. With production under way and Ghostface excitment at an all time high the troubles seemed to get washed over. A new group of cast members that included Adam Brody, Marley Shelton and Erik Knudsen were brought on board to fill in the gap of missing actresses and all seemed to be moving forward.

Then comes the news we reported earlier today and what many are considering the nail in the preverbal coffin. According to Zap2It Kevin Williamson is no longer involved with the revival of the SCREAM movies, and that his SCREAM 4 script has been significantly rewritten by SCREAM 3‘s Ehren Kruger, and not for the better. The site claims that Lauren Graham’s role was reduced so much that indeed that is why actress left production. It’s also noted that Hayden Panetierre’s part, previously described as “really sharp” has been “dumbed down significantly,” leaving Panetierre “beyond frustrated with the changes.”

There has been no reason given for Williamson’s departure, merely a statement that his “involvement with the project has come to an end entirely,” and that that means there won’t be the previously announced SCREAM 5 or 6. No official word has been announced but expect some damage control to happen, and happen soon.

All this begs the question, is this movie needed? The original 1996 SCREAM is one of our personal favorite horror films. It was sharp and slapped the horror movie genre in the face when it so desperately needed it. But the sequels were no where near what the original was and the film itself spawned and entire decade of rip off movies such as “Urban Legend” and “I know what you did Last Summer”. Could this 4th installment and proposed new trilogy really live up to the original or is this just a cash cow, the 90210 remake for a new generation? Blending a bit of the old cast with fresh new faces? We have till next April to find out when the movie is scheduled to premier. Until then stay locked here for all the latest news and rumors as we get them in. And here is hoping Ghostface can make a triumphant return despite all the problems with production.

Source: HorrorBid