Co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are doing all they can to prevent the internet from spoiling the ending -- or any death -- in 2022's anticipated Scream film.
The fifth film in the meta-slasher franchise, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett went to new lengths to protect Scream, creating not only fake scripts but multiple versions of the film for the sole purpose of confusing those trying to leak the film, as confirmed by Bloody Disgusting.
Scream producer William Sherak previously confirmed the existence of multiple scripts on set, stating, "There are multiple versions of the draft out there and most of the cast don’t know if they have the right version or not. So we’ve been playing that game with them as well. The fun of a Scream movie is that everyone is guilty until proven innocent."
The Neve Campbell-starring franchise isn't a stranger to fake scripts or fake/additional footage on set. Franchise director Wes Craven often employed multiple scripts on set, varying between actors, so the atmosphere would be thematically tense. Craven would also show actors footage that misled them, keeping the killer a mystery for as long as possible.
Craven, aka "The Master of Horror," passed away in 2015, making the upcoming Scream the first film to be directed without him. However, its franchise alums have already spoken up about how Wes would be proud of the film. In November 2020, Courtney Cox shared, "Walking back on the set 25 years later, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found were an incredible new cast and two uber-talented directors."
Although Craven cannot be a part of the film, Scream creator Kevin Williamson is an executive producer on the 2022 film. In November 2020, Williamson shared similar notes of excitement for Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett's work with his characters, stating, "I’m blown away by the directors, and I was really nervous because nobody is Wes Craven. I was really hesitant to even jump on board... Boy am I glad I did because I think it’s going to make Wes proud."
Scream will see the return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, David Arquette as Dewey Riley, Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers and Marley Shelton as Deputy Judy Hicks. Cast newcomers include Jack Quaid, Dylan Minnette, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on Jan. 14, 2022.
Source: Bloody Disgusting