The rumor mills are always churning out the same old speculative stuff. That’s why they are called rumors. But this one about Scream VII piqued our interest because the person who broke the news is adamant that his industry whistleblower is a reliable source. In traditional media you often get factual tips from people who want to remain anonymous. In social media you kind of have to take that rule with a grain of salt. So we are going to season this tidbit as such, and we hope you do the same.
The YouTube channel and podcaster Craven Something Scary posted a video this week about the status of Scream 7, contending that Radio Silence won’t be directing the next entry into the popular slasher series. He adds that their decision was made prior to the strikes.
We called Radio Silence’s office and left a message asking about the rumor. We haven’t heard back.
Radio Silence is a filmmaking team consisting of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett and Chad Villella. They are responsible for rebooting and directing the Scream franchise starting with 2022’s Scream (5) and this year’s Scream VI.
There are a few reasons why this could be true, and a few reason’s why it may not be true.
Let’s start with why the podcaster’s rumor might be true
The Radio Silence team is hot right now. They are probably eager to start on that Escape From New York reboot they announced late last year. If we know anything about these guys they love nostalgia so they are probably longing for the writer and actor strikes to end so they can get started. That is, if they ever figured out the rights issue. In an interview with Critical Overlord they said there were having movie rights problems that needed hammering out.
They also said they are working on a movie in Ireland: “…a crime thriller and it gets hijacked by a monster movie.” When asked if it was an intellectual property they cryptically added it is a “new way into an old thing.” We now know it is a Universal vampire joint.
Radio Silence recent comments on SCREAM 7:
(Via: @deadmeatjames) pic.twitter.com/Ph6LqhbWp6
— CriticalOverlord (@CriticalOverlo3) March 15, 2023
Those projects might trump their involvement in another Scream chapter for now especially with all the upheaval going on in Hollywood at the moment. Once things get back to normal there might not be enough time to do another Scream.
Spyglass Media Group owns the property (except Scream IV) and they would probably like to repeat their win sooner rather than later. In the business of show, studios always want to strike while the iron is hot, and horror movies are cheap to make but high on returns. Spyglass may not have the patience. Which brings us to the co-producer/distributor: Paramount Pictures.
Why the rumor about Radio Silence might be false.
Paramount won’t let them leave. Paramount is the prominent studio label on the movie even though it’s not theirs solely. It’s the first name you see on screen — Spyglass second. Scream VI had the highest grossing opening weekend of the franchise’s history. That means Paramount did their job and raked in some serious cash themselves. The movie cost $35M to make and ended up grossing over $108M.
That bolstered with the fact the movie was so well-received critically with both diehard fans and and the casual viewer, means the iron is hot. Fans will go see it on principle while inductees to the fandom will go see it as completionists. Paramount doesn’t play around with their time or money. So they might have to step in and advise Spyglass to pony up. Or do it themselves. They also might have to mend bridges and Neve Campbell back at all costs.
However they also know they can’t duplicate that box office windfall without the right director/movie chemistry. As the franchise’s distributors too, Paramount has the job of getting as many butts in seats (and streaming app subs) as possible through marketing, etc. Since Radio Silence has proven its allegiance to the horror community, there is trust in product there. They are savants when it comes to blending fan service with originality. Putting Samara Weaving in Scream VI‘s cold open was genius, and they knew it. So did Paramount.
The trio have also said they would be crazy not to “stay involved” in any other Scream movies Whether that means as directors and/or producers; that remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure they want Neve Campbell back STAT.
All things considered, Spyglass and Paramount are probably willing to shell out a few extra bucks if they can keep their properties, and everybody involved, intact (Sidney, we’ll see you soon). However as we have seen, they are not above playing hardball and making cutthroat business moves.
The bottom line is, Radio Silence will most likely be back for the next Scream entry in some capacity. Scheduling and other projects might keep them from the director’s chair, which might make Spyglass and Paramount just nervous enough to put their money where their franchise is and make an offer Radio Silence can’t refuse.
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