Scream creator Kevin Williamson has revealed why the upcoming fifth installment in the popular slasher franchise isn’t called Scream 5. In the 25 years since the first Wes Craven film was released, fans have become accustomed to the idea that the Ghostface killer isn’t easily disposed of. Throughout an extensive run of sequels, the films have always been marked by their numerical order, with the exception of the latest entry.
It’s not particularly common for a well-known franchise with numerous sequels to its credit to suddenly revert back to the original title. This is typically only done in the case of a reboot, something that the latest Scream film definitely isn’t. Unfortunately, exactly what the new Scream film is and how its plot justifies yet another run of killings at the hands of Ghostface remains unknown. From its earliest beginnings, Scream 2022 was shrouded in mystery, a process that even kept fans guessing about which cast members would or wouldn’t return. Now with less than three months to go before the film is released in theatres, there’s still only a handful of images, a poster, and a relatively straightforward trailer to go by.
In other words, fans are still no closer to knowing anything about the terrors that await them in what many would rather just call Scream 5. But while chatting recently with Us Magazine, Williamson explained how the title of the new film was the right choice to make and why the decision was made not to include the number five. Pointing out that he didn’t ever think the idea of calling the film Scream 5 was a serious option, Williamson stated:
“I don’t think they ever seriously were going to call it Scream 5. I don’t think anybody wanted to see the number five after something. You’d have to ask them — Paramount or whoever, but I think taking the 5 off and calling it Scream [works] because it’s brand new. There’s the legacy cast, and how they infuse this new world and there’s this whole new generation and a new cast of characters that are extremely fun. I think it was a great cast. It’s an amazing group of kids and young talent and they’re very, very good. They pop off the screen, and now our Sidneys and our mature characters who enter into it, they’re the adults. It works really really well.”
Williamson’s fondness for the new title might be obvious, but the general confusion it causes has proven to be a bit of an annoyance for others. Regardless of how popular the film may or may not be upon its release, informal discussions surrounding Scream must now be constantly specified to avoid confusion. As a result, the latest Scream will likely often end up being referred to as “the new one” – something that could have been remedied by simply calling it Scream 5 in the first place. However, the film’s release is intended to mark a new era for the franchise. Craven is no longer part of the creative process, and after 25 years, it’s perhaps time to send things in a new direction. In that respect, calling the film Scream does make sense.
When all is said and done, the decision to not call the latest film Scream 5 isn’t going to have any detrimental effects on its box office success. Fans will still eagerly return to see just where this new and decidedly mysterious chapter takes them. Exactly what the sixth entry in the series will be called, should there be one, also poses a slight dilemma; would it be Scream 2? Scream 6? Or has the franchise now entered into the more subdued Mission: Impossible and James Bond-style of naming sequels without any numerical representation? All of that remains to be seen as the Scream franchise slashes its way into the future.
Scream 5 (2022)
Release Date: Jan 14, 2022
It’s not particularly common for a well-known franchise with numerous sequels to its credit to suddenly revert back to the original title. This is typically only done in the case of a reboot, something that the latest Scream film definitely isn’t. Unfortunately, exactly what the new Scream film is and how its plot justifies yet another run of killings at the hands of Ghostface remains unknown. From its earliest beginnings, Scream 2022 was shrouded in mystery, a process that even kept fans guessing about which cast members would or wouldn’t return. Now with less than three months to go before the film is released in theatres, there’s still only a handful of images, a poster, and a relatively straightforward trailer to go by.
In other words, fans are still no closer to knowing anything about the terrors that await them in what many would rather just call Scream 5. But while chatting recently with Us Magazine, Williamson explained how the title of the new film was the right choice to make and why the decision was made not to include the number five. Pointing out that he didn’t ever think the idea of calling the film Scream 5 was a serious option, Williamson stated:
“I don’t think they ever seriously were going to call it Scream 5. I don’t think anybody wanted to see the number five after something. You’d have to ask them — Paramount or whoever, but I think taking the 5 off and calling it Scream [works] because it’s brand new. There’s the legacy cast, and how they infuse this new world and there’s this whole new generation and a new cast of characters that are extremely fun. I think it was a great cast. It’s an amazing group of kids and young talent and they’re very, very good. They pop off the screen, and now our Sidneys and our mature characters who enter into it, they’re the adults. It works really really well.”
Williamson’s fondness for the new title might be obvious, but the general confusion it causes has proven to be a bit of an annoyance for others. Regardless of how popular the film may or may not be upon its release, informal discussions surrounding Scream must now be constantly specified to avoid confusion. As a result, the latest Scream will likely often end up being referred to as “the new one” – something that could have been remedied by simply calling it Scream 5 in the first place. However, the film’s release is intended to mark a new era for the franchise. Craven is no longer part of the creative process, and after 25 years, it’s perhaps time to send things in a new direction. In that respect, calling the film Scream does make sense.
When all is said and done, the decision to not call the latest film Scream 5 isn’t going to have any detrimental effects on its box office success. Fans will still eagerly return to see just where this new and decidedly mysterious chapter takes them. Exactly what the sixth entry in the series will be called, should there be one, also poses a slight dilemma; would it be Scream 2? Scream 6? Or has the franchise now entered into the more subdued Mission: Impossible and James Bond-style of naming sequels without any numerical representation? All of that remains to be seen as the Scream franchise slashes its way into the future.
Scream 5 (2022)
Release Date: Jan 14, 2022