In a press release sent out yesterday we learned that Showtime Networks Inc. has entered into an exclusive seven-year film distribution arrangement with The Weinstein Company. Oh boy right? Who gives a shit? Well, there are a couple of interesting tidbits in there, primarily the fact that The Weinstein Co. has now grabbed hold of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards, Rob Marshall’s Nine is now out of limbo, the remake of David Cronenberg’s Scanners is getting the go, Alexandre Aja’s Piranha 3-D has an official home (which it already did) and we learn there will be a Scream 4. Yup, that’s right kiddies, they are setting out to “restart” the Scream franchise.
Now before you get all up in arms as if this is the worst thing ever because the Scream movies got worse and worse and worse as they went on let me just say that I don’t think this is exactly the worst idea. I guess it all has to do with just how much they are looking to “restart” the franchise.
Will this be a scenario that will still include the Ghostface mask? Will it pay homage or continue what happened in the first three films? Or, will it just start anew as if nothing had happened before?
Even though all three Scream films were rated R I tend to believe they were the primary source that started the PG-13 teen thrillers. Teens were turning out in droves to be freaked out by the maniacal mystery that was the “whodunnit?” factor in the Scream movies, and I’ll admit I had fun with it. Personally I still think the first Scream flick is one hell of a wild ride. I can’t say the films it spawned such as I Know What You Did Last Summer and Urban Legend are exactly cinematic genius, but the original film was a lot of fun in my book and gave horror a nudge back in the late ’90s, something it desperately needs right now as gore has moved to the forefront and plot has taken a backseat.
Of course, there is no word on whether or not Wes Craven will be back or if Kevin Williamson will try and resurect his career which seemed to die completely with Cursed back in 2005, but considering Williamson’s “Hidden Palms” hit the trash heap and Craven doesn’t have anything in the hopper following 25/8 due out next year, it may be interesting to see what the two can come up with.
Then again, it could end up being shit and I hate myself for even having any kind of optimism. So is the world…
