Kevin Williamson is making his return for “Scream 7” after writing the original screenplay and two additional sequels …
It’s been over 30 years since Kevin Williamson wrote “Scary Movie” — a screenplay that got passed around Hollywood and earned considerable buzz before the name was changed to “Scream” and director Wes Craven transformed that script into one of the biggest and most important horror films of all time.
Williamson is responsible for creating characters like Sidney Prescott, Dewey Riley, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher as well as the iconic Ghostface killer, which has become synonymous with the “Scream” franchise. He returned to write “Scream 2” and then again for “Scream 4,” which was his final collaboration with Craven prior to his death in 2015.
Now Williamson is back to co-write and direct “Scream 7,” which lands in theaters on Feb. 27 and series star Neve Campbell was incredibly happy to have him back.
“I always thought it would be a wonderful thing to have Kevin Williamson direct,” Campbell said in a new featurette about the film. “He knows these characters and these films better than anybody.”
Williamson, who has written numerous other horror hits such as “The Faculty” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” was credited as a producer for the two most recent “Scream” sequels but his actual return to the franchise came with the opportunity to direct “Scream 7.”
He also ended up co-writing the script with Guy Busick, who had previously penned “Scream 5” and “Scream 6” — the latter sequel that serves as the only film without Campbell on the call sheet.
Obviously “Scream” wouldn’t exist without him and Williamson admits it meant a lot to him to return to the franchise with a chance to write and direct, especially after he learned so much working alongside Craven for multiple films.
“As the writer of the first one, the second one and the fourth one, it is so personal to me and I was able to work with my hero, Wes Craven, who taught me everything,” Williamson said. “People ask all the time, have I always wanted to direct a ‘Scream’ movie? Yes, with all my heart.
“Now we’re here at part seven and it’s all led to this. It’s gone so far beyond my wildest dreams.”
The premise of “Scream 7” centers around a new Ghostface killer, who emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.
The film features Campbell’s return along with several more favorites from the past including Matthew Lillard making his first appearance in a “Scream” movie since the original was released in 1996.
