Scream VI

''Scream VI'' is an upcoming American slasher film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, with original franchise writer and creator Kevin Williamson returning as executive producer. It will be the sixth installment in the ''Scream'' film series and will be a direct sequel to ''Scream'' (2022).

The film stars Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Hayden Panettiere, and Courteney Cox, who are all reprising their roles from previous installments. Dermot Mulroney, Henry Czerny, Samara Weaving, and Tony Revolori were later added to the cast. Franchise star Neve Campbell announced she would not be returning as Sidney Prescott due to not being pleased with the offer presented to her, making this the first film in the franchise not to feature the actress or character.

''Scream VI'' is set to be released in the United States on March 10, 2023, by Paramount Pictures.

Premise

The film continues with the survivors of the latest Ghostface killings, sisters Samantha and Tara Carpenter and twins Chad and Mindy Meeks, leaving Woodsboro behind and starting a new chapter of their lives in New York City only to again be plagued by a streak of murders by a new Ghostface killer.

Cast

*Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers, a morning host, legacy survivor, and author
*Melissa Barrera as Sam Carpenter, the illegitimate daughter of Billy Loomis
*Jenna Ortega as Tara Carpenter, Sam's half-sister
*Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed, a survivor of the 2011 Ghostface serial murders
*Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks-Martin, Randy's niece and Chad's twin
*Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks-Martin, Randy's nephew and Mindy's twin
* Dermot Mulroney as a police officer
*Henry Czerny
*Samara Weaving
*Tony Revolori
*Jack Champion
*Devyn Nekoda
*Liana Liberato
*Josh Segarra
*Roger L. Jackson as the voice of Ghostface

Production

Development

Prior to the release of ''Scream 4'', series creator Kevin Williamson claimed he had already "mapped out" ''Scream 5'' and ''Scream 6'', but would wait to see the box office success of the fourth installment before signing on for any more films. In July 2014, Williamson revealed that ''Scream 4'' was intended to kick off a new trilogy of films, but the film "never took off in a way they hoped". Williamson also said that he would likely not be involved in any further entries, as the series director Wes Craven and his team were "done" with him. In Williamson's initial pitch, ''Scream 5'' saw Jill Roberts being stalked by a killer at her college campus, while ''Scream 6'' would feature Gale Weathers as the main character and deal with her relationship with Dewey Riley.

In January 2022, Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, and Tyler Gillett expressed interest in making future films in the series. Courteney Cox would later express an interest in a sequel while doing publicity for ''Shining Vale''. A sixth film was officially green-lit on February 3, 2022, by Spyglass Media Group. Olpin and Gillett of Radio Silence would return to direct while James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick would write the script once again. By the end of the month, Campbell was approached to return for the film. The following month, Cox had received the script and was courted to reprise her role. Also in March 2022, the sixth film's release date was set for March 31, 2023. By May, plot details emerged, setting the film outside of Woodsboro. Instead, the film will take place in New York City. In June, Ortega said the film would feature a more "aggressive and violent" Ghostface than in previous entries.

Casting

In May 2022, it was announced that Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, and Jenna Ortega would also return for the sixth film. The following day, it was announced that Hayden Panettiere would reprise her role of Kirby Reed from the fourth film. When asked about her involvement in the film, Cox claimed that her contract was not yet completed. Also in June, it was announced that Dermot Mulroney had joined the cast, playing a police officer, and Cox officially confirmed her involvement with the film. On June 16, Jack Champion, Liana Liberato, Devyn Nekoda and Josh Segarra joined the cast, followed by Henry Czerny on June 23. Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori were both announced as cast members on July 14.

Campbell's involvement

On June 6, 2022, it was announced Campbell would not be returning as Sidney Prescott for the sixth film. The actress made a statement about how her contract and salary negotiations had stalled with Paramount Pictures:

''IndieWire'' noted Campbell had spent 26 years acting in the franchise and announced it was "the end of an era". David Arquette stated, "I'd love for her to be a part of it. A ''Scream'' movie without Sidney is kind of unfortunate, but I understand her decision. It's all a business in a way, they have to balance all these elements to fit a budget and produce a film." Jasmin Savoy Brown, Melissa Barrera as well as former ''Scream'' co-stars Emma Roberts, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard and Jamie Kennedy, also expressed their support for Campbell's decision and praised her contributions to the series.

Campbell expanded on her statement a few weeks later, saying she could not bear "walking on set and feeling undervalued" and that the offer would have been different had she been a man.

Even though she will not be in the film, the script still contains references to the Sidney character and is "protective" of her.

After months of silence, Radio Silence finally commented on Campbell's absence in December 2022 in interviews after the teaser trailer and poster were released, saying her absence affected the script "greatly". They decided to use the change as an opportunity to focus more on other characters, particularly the four young survivors from the previous film. They also mentioned how much they love both Campbell and the Sidney character and that she could return in future installments.

Filming

On a production budget of $35million, principal photography began on June 9, 2022, in Montreal, Canada. Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein and William Sherak produced under Project X Entertainment, while Chad Villella, Cathy Konrad, Marianne Maddalena and Williamson will serve as executive producers. While in July 2022, the film was still untitled officially, production documents revealed the working title to be "Blackmore", while set photos showed ''Scream !!'' as a working title. Hayden Panettiere posed for a set photo on August 6, along with Jasmin Savoy Brown, that was picked up by various media outlets given her return to the franchise. Courteney Cox revealed she had finished filming her part as of August 14. Filming ended in late August. The movie's editor is Jay Prychidny.

Music

The film will be scored by Brian Tyler, returning from the previous installment.

Release

''Scream VI'' is set to be released in the United States on March 10, 2023, by Paramount Pictures. It was originally set for release on March 31, 2023.

References

External links

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{{Tyler Gillett

2020s American films
2020s English-language films
2020s serial killer films
2020s slasher films
2023 films
2023 horror films
American horror thriller films
American sequel films
American serial killer films
American slasher films
Films directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett
Films produced by James Vanderbilt
Films set in New York City
Films shot in Montreal
Films with screenplays by Guy Busick
Films with screenplays by James Vanderbilt
Paramount Pictures films
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Spyglass Entertainment films
Upcoming English-language films
Upcoming sequel films