Halloween might be over, but there’s still a new “Scream” installment on the way. And in the first featurette released from the upcoming film, we get some tantalizing new clues about the direction of this, the fifth entry in the franchise started by the Wes Craven classic back in 1996. Watch it above.
The featurette includes the typical snippets of talking head interviews, but also offers some clues for the “Scream” faithful.
Melissa Berrera, who plays Sam Carpenter, said, “My character of Sam becomes the target of the Ghostface killer. She seeks Dewey to help.”
As the previous teaser trailer suggested, all of the new characters have connections to existing characters from the franchise, but nobody in the series has the last name Carpenter. Is she the child of a “Scream” universe marriage or has she changed her name to distance herself from an unsavory lineage? It’s also interesting that she pulls Dewey (played once again by David Arquette) in. But is it to help, or to become the killer’s next victim?
Dylan Minnette, who is oddly missing from the original trailer considering he’s a pretty big draw, plays a new character named Wes Hicks. He described the new film as “the perfect mix of new energy and also keeping it what made it so special in the first place.” Say no more Dylan!
Perhaps the most telling quote came from Courteney Cox, the original Gale Weathers (who based on some new footage is continuing her news reporter duties), said, “There are things that happen in this that are kind of shocking. I still can’t believe it.” This dialogue is followed immediately by shots of Gale screaming, which suggests that maybe Deputy Dewey’s days are numbered.
There’s also a really great shot of Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott and Cox’s Gale Weathers standing outside of what we assume is the house from the climax of the first “Scream.” They hear a bloodcurdling shriek and Cox turns to Campbell and says, “Sounds about right.” The delivery is perfect and deadpan and so quintessentially “Scream.” Excitement levels (cautiously) rising …
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, the new “Scream” is written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, based on characters created by Kevin Williamson (who also executive produces). Other cast members include Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Marley Shelton (returning from “Scream 4”), and Jasmin Savoy Brown (playing Mindy Meeks-Martin, so at least we know she is connected to Randy Meeks, Jamie Kennedy’s character from the first one). More will be revealed, undoubtedly, in the weeks leading up to the film’s release. And we’ll be on top of it all.
“Scream” hits theaters on Jan. 14, 2022.