The latest installment in the iconic Scream franchise, Scream 7, has faced harsh criticism from reviewers, but the film's original concept, as envisioned by its initial directors, would have taken a dramatically different and more brutal approach. Directed by Kevin Williamson, the original Scream writer, this sequel marks the return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, yet it has struggled to impress audiences and critics alike.
Original Directors' Vision for a Hard-Hitting Sequel
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who helmed the fifth and sixth Scream films, were originally set to direct Scream 7 before passing the project to Christopher Landon, who later exited amid controversy. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bettinelli-Olpin revealed their ambitious plans for the film, stating they never read a script draft because they left to work on Abigail beforehand.
"The thing that we had in our minds for Scream 7 was sort of like, 'How hard can we go with this?'" Bettinelli-Olpin explained. "For us, it was always this idea of, if Scream VI is like a secret feel-good movie, Scream 7's going to f*** you up. That was as much as we ever got to."
Contrasting with Scream VI's Scope
Gillett added that their concept aimed to make the sequel "super-contained," in stark contrast to the expanded scope of Scream VI, which was set in New York. "How do you do the opposite for 7? Like, shrink it down and make it this ultra-contained, almost continuous, minute-to-minute thing," he said. However, they emphasized that these were just informal ideas, not part of any official plan with writers.
Impact of Cast and Crew Departures
The production of Scream 7 was significantly disrupted by the firing of star Melissa Barrera in 2023, after she shared social media posts addressing Israel and Palestine. Spyglass, the production company, cited concerns over antisemitism and hate incitement, leading to backlash and accusations that Barrera was blacklisted. Barrera responded with a statement condemning all forms of prejudice and advocating for peace.
Following Barrera's dismissal, Jenna Ortega and director Christopher Landon also exited the project. Landon clarified in an interview that the script was centered around Barrera's character, and without her, the film no longer existed as he had signed on to make it. Skeet Ulrich, who played Billy Loomis, hinted that the original plan involved a three-picture arc for his character tied to Barrera's role, which was lost with her departure.
Critical Reception and Boycott Fallout
As a result of these controversies, Scream 7 has faced a boycott, with protests marring its premiere. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a "rotten" critics' score of just 34 percent positive, reflecting widespread disappointment. This poor reception contrasts sharply with the well-received Scream VI, highlighting how the production overhaul and cast changes may have impacted the final product.
Scream 7 is now in cinemas, but its journey to the screen has been fraught with challenges, from creative shifts to public backlash, underscoring the complexities of modern filmmaking in the face of social and political issues.
