Analyzing The Evolution of The Scream Franchise's Direction Through Its Three-Movie Plan
Delving into the missed opportunities and shifts in direction within the Scream franchise's three-movie strategy. Unravel the intrigue behind the disappointing changes and what could have been in the evolution of this iconic horror series.
The Scream franchise's plans for its reboot trilogy have taken an unexpected turn with Scream 7, leaving fans disappointed. In recent years, the horror genre has seen a trend of reboots and legacy sequels, bringing back old favorites with varying degrees of success. One franchise that successfully made a comeback with a reboot/legacy sequel is Scream, which was thought to have concluded with Wes Craven's Scream 4 ten years prior to the release of its fifth installment simply titled Scream.
Scream 2022 reunited the three main survivors from the previous films - Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), and Dewey Riley (David Arquette) - and introduced a new generation of characters who find themselves targeted by a new Ghostface killer. Among the new characters are sisters Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), with Sam having a direct connection to the original Woodsboro killers and the events of the past movies. However, the future of the reboot trilogy is now uncertain after Scream VI's success, as the direction of the third installment has undergone significant changes, which is especially disappointing considering the franchise's original plans for the trilogy.
The Scream Franchise Planned For Samantha Carpenter To Have A Three-Movie Arc
Sam was supposed to lead the Scream reboot trilogy.
Custom image of Melissa Barrera as Sam and Skeet Ulrich as Billy in Scream 6 - Sam was supposed to lead the Scream reboot trilogy. - The Scream Franchise Planned For Samantha Carpenter To Have A Three-Movie Arc
Some call 2022's Scream the best sequel to date.
Scream 2022 was a huge hit both critically and commercially. Critics loved the direction of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, as well as the performances of the cast. Some even said it was the best Scream sequel so far. Shortly after the release of the fifth movie, a sequel was confirmed. This led to the continuation of Sam and Tara's story in Scream VI. The success of the sequel ensured that a third movie in the reboot series was given the green light. However, Scream 7 has undergone major changes that have completely altered the course of the reboot films.
During an interview with Screen Rant while promoting the movie Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill!, Skeet Ulrich shared that the Scream reboot was initially planned as a trilogy with Sam as the main character. Sam serves as a direct connection to the earlier films and the initial murders in Woodsboro, as she is revealed to be the daughter of Billy Loomis (played by Ulrich). In Scream 2022 and Scream VI, Ulrich makes appearances in Sam's hallucinations, hinting at a potential dark presence within her.
Scream's Three-Movie Plan Makes The Franchise's New Direction More Disappointing
The Scream reboot trilogy will now be incomplete.
Scream Melissa Barrera as Sam Carpenter Ghostface Jenna Ortega as Tara Carpenter - The Scream reboot trilogy will now be incomplete. - Scream's Three-Movie Plan Makes The Franchise's New Direction More Disappointing
Scream had an exciting three-movie plan for its reboot timeline, offering fans more to explore about Sam before the franchise concluded. However, the excitement dwindled with the many problems faced during the production of Scream 7. The film's progress slowed down due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes after securing director Christopher Landon. In a surprising turn of events, Melissa Barrera was fired from the project in November 2023. The following day, Jenna Ortega also departed from Scream 7, leaving the sequel without its two lead actors.
After Barrera and Ortega left, it was revealed that the screenwriters of Scream 7 were given the task of starting over from scratch. However, the movie was hit with another setback. In December 2023, Landon announced his departure from Scream 7, describing it as a "dream job that turned into a nightmare." The future of Scream 7 is uncertain, as it may continue with different characters like the Meeks twins or bring back Sidney Prescott for a final showdown with Ghostface.
Following the departures of Barrera and Ortega, the Scream reboot timeline will now be left incomplete.
What Could Have Happened If Sam Carpenter Returned For Scream 7
Whatever happens with Scream 7, it is important to note that the original plan was a three-movie arc for Sam. The situation with the seventh film becomes even more disappointing with Barrera and Ortega’s exit. Unfortunately, the Scream reboot timeline will now be incomplete without the possibility of giving Sam a satisfying ending.
Some questions about Sam weren’t answered.
Billy licking blood off his fingers in scream and sam staring in scream 6 - Some questions about Sam weren’t answered. - What Could Have Happened If Sam Carpenter Returned For Scream 7
Sam’s link to Billy Loomis and the hallucinations she had of her father talking to her left many questions that would have surely been answered in Scream 7. Ulrich mentioned in an interview with Screen Rant that Scream 7 would have delved deeper into Sam’s connection to Billy, exploring whether she had a natural inclination to kill. Since Scream 2022 hinted at Sam's potential killer instincts when she hallucinated Billy urging her to pick up a knife and take down one of the Ghostface killers, Scream 7 could have revealed if Sam was destined to follow in her father's footsteps or if she could break free from her dark legacy.
You can stream the Scream Franchise on Paramount+
Sam's story in Scream 7 could have delved into her relationship with her and Tara's mother, missing since Scream 2022. With this unresolved plotline, Sam's character arc in the Scream franchise remains unfinished, adding to the disappointment and frustration for fans of the series.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an insightful overview of the unexpected turn in the Scream franchise's reboot plans. The initial intention to create a trilogy centered around Sam Carpenter as the main protagonist was intriguing, promising a satisfying conclusion to her story arc. However, the sudden departures of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, along with the numerous production setbacks, have left the future of Scream 7 uncertain. This change in direction is disappointing for fans who were invested in Sam's journey and eager to see her character's full potential realized.
The article raises valid concerns about the incompleteness of the reboot timeline and the unresolved questions surrounding Sam's character. The original plan to explore her connection to Billy Loomis and her potential killer instincts had the potential to add depth and complexity to her role. Furthermore, the absence of her mother in the story left a significant gap in her character development. Without the opportunity to address these aspects, Sam's story arc feels truncated, leaving a sense of dissatisfaction among fans who had been anticipating a satisfying conclusion to her journey.
