Scream (the 2022 movie, not to be confused with the original 1996 slasher) was such a successful requel — that is, part reboot-part sequel — that it has launched a whole new rechise? Franquel? Fans are still torn on the terminology, but either way, a sixth Scream movie is coming.
Scream 2022, which saw filmmakers Radio Silence take over for longtime franchise helmer Wes Craven, began a new chapter in Woodsboro's bloody saga, introducing a new generation of would-be Ghostface victims while bringing back legacy characters like Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott, David Arquette's Officer Dewey Riley and Courteney Cox's Gale Weathers.
Scream VI, which was announced within a month of the release of Scream, will keep the kills a-coming, arriving in theaters in 2023 and continuing the story of the new characters. (With one notable exception; more on that in a moment.) But who will be under the Ghostface mask this time?
Here is everything you need to know about Scream 6.
What is 'Scream VI' about?
"The Scream saga continues with the four survivors of the Ghostface killings as they leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter." Beyond that vague logline, plot details for Scream 6 have been kept tightly under wraps, although we know the latest film will be set in New York City and revolve around a new spate of Ghostface killings, of course!
Is there a trailer?
Yes, and you can watch it right here:
Who's returning for 'Scream VI'?
The aforementioned survivors are half-sisters Tara (Jenna Ortega) and Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and twins Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown). Sam is the daughter of original Ghostface killer Billy Loomis, while the twins are niece and nephew to Jamie Kennedy's original Scream character, Randy Meeks.
Also returning is franchise mainstay Courteney Cox as the intrepid and iconic reporter Gale Weathers, with Hayden Panettiere reprising her role as Kirby Reed, a fan favorite from 2011's Scream 4. (Kirby Reed was revealed to have survived the events of that film and will now be returning to the franchise.)
"I called them up myself and was like, 'So, you guys don't happen to want to bring Kirby back, do you?' I wanted to be in it that badly," Panettiere said on Good Morning America. "I don't think anyone's going to be disappointed."
Wait, what about Sidney Prescott?
Neve Campbell will not be returning for Scream 6, making this the first installment in the franchise to not feature the iconic final girl, Sidney Prescott. "Sadly, I won't be making the next Scream film," she confirmed in a statement.
"As a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream," Campbell said. "I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise. It's been a very difficult decision to move on. To all my Scream fans, I love you. You've always been so incredibly supportive to me. I'm forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years."
For their part, Radio Silence told Total Film, "We are massive fans of Neve Campbell and what Sidney Prescott is in the Scream universe. Everything we did on Five was because we were fans of hers for years and years and years in the Scream legacy... We're very, very proud of the movie that we made, and the way that the entire cast bonded and came together on this new one and creating that thing and keeping that family element alive was very important to us."
Who's new to the franchise?
Samara Weaving, who starred in Radio Silence's 2019 hit horror flick, Ready or Not, will reunite with the filmmakers for an undisclosed role in Scream 6, as will her Ready or Not co-star Henry Czerny.
Dermot Mulroney has also joined the cast, playing a police officer, alongside franchise newcomers Tony Revolori (Spider-Man), Jack Champion (Avatar: The Way of Water), Liana Liberato, Devyn Nekoda, and Josh Segarra.
Who's behind the scenes?
The sixth movie maintains the core creative team from the fifth film, including directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and writers by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, with Scream creator and original scribe Kevin Williamson executive producing with Chad Villella of Radio Silence. Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group are behind Scream VI too.
Williamson recently praised the sixth installment as a "fresh reinvention," telling SyFy, "It doesn’t feel like 'Part 6'... I love, love, love, love it. I've watched the movie with a big smile on my face. I think it's everything and more. And going to New York was awesome. The movie feels new, it feels fresh, it feels like a new movie."
When does it come out?
Scream VI will open in theaters on March 31, 2023.
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