This morning when we reported that Alison Brie and Mary McDonnell had joined “Scream 4,” we sort-of joked that with filming already underway and with cast members still being added/switched out, the film was turning into into a horror version of “Nashville.” If only.
Zap2It reports that the last minute cast changes are indicative of something a bit more troubling on the set of “Scream 4.” Franchise creator Kevin Williamson, who originally penned the script for the film, is no longer involved with “Scream 4,” nor any subsequent sequels. No reason has been given for his departure, but in his wake Ehren Kruger (“Scream 3,” “Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen”) has come in and had his hand at the script. And the cast is not happy.
The site says Lauren Graham actually left the film because her role had been greatly reduced. Lake Bell, who had legit scheduling issues is said to have “dodged a bullet” while Hayden Panetierre, who is still on board, is “beyond frustrated” that her previously “really sharp” character has been “dumbed down significantly.”
So where is Wes Craven in all of this? Responding to Zap2It’s story, he tweeted, “I have not been given control of the script.” Clearly, there seems to be a major disconnect happening on the set of “Scream 4” between some of the key talent behind the camera. This can’t bode well for the film, particularly one we didn’t have much faith in to begin with.
Regardless, production continues and we’ll see how much the script changes and rumored set troubles affect the film when it lands in theaters on April 15, 2011.
Though I thought the film unnecessary, I was excited to see that Kevin was back and writing. The 3rd film sucked and all due to the script (and the idea being tired already). But this just blows. What are they thinking letting Kevin go? What did they do to piss him off so badly? God, Hollywood can be so fucking stupid.
This pointless movie is now completely irrelevant.
Though not a big Scream fan, Kruger's work might at least add a dose of cleverness to property past it's prime. His secret rewrite of Cowboys & Aliens three weeks before shooting started actually made a big difference in the material's story & tone cohering in a way that the actors & Favreau appreciated.
@Anonymous…clearly you're forgetting Kruger's terrible work on Scream 3.