UPDATE: “Scream 8” is officially going to be written by sisters Lilla and Nora Zuckerman. Fresh off their work on the acclaimed “Poker Face” and credits on fan-favorite series like “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Suits,” and “Fringe.” They were actually supposed to be the showrunners on Chloe Zhao’s now-canceled ‘Buffy’ reboot.
EARLIER: Was bringing back Kevin Williamson to the ‘Scream’ franchise a good idea? The box office numbers would suggest that it was — a franchise-record $60M opening, and that’s despite a severe 70% drop in its second weekend.
The main issue is that “Scream 7” just wasn’t very good — a clunky, back-to-the-basics instalment with wooden direction and laughable writing courtesy of Williamson.
So, it might come as good news for ‘Scream’ fans that Williamson is now saying he will not be returning for “Scream 8,” which might still enter production in the fall.
“I think the next Scream I’ll probably step back,” Williamson tells the fan site Hello Sidney. “I want to direct another film that I have written. That is just waiting for me to find the time to direct. Right now I’m working on a couple TV shows. Maybe I’ll direct one of those. Who knows […] I don’t always have to write or direct… other people can take the reins. And I’m excited to see what other storytellers come up with.”
A curious turn of events considering Williamson had told Deadline, just a few weeks ago, thet he was working on ideas for “Scream 8” with star Neve Campbell.
This news also comes just a few days after “Scream 7” actress Anna Camp criticized Williamson’s script on a podcast, albeit indirectly, saying there was “really nothing there in the script” for character development. Because of that, Camp explained that she had to create much of her character’s backstory and emotional reasoning herself while preparing for the role.
Williamson wrote the first two “Scream” movies and has only directed one other film in his career (“Teaching Mrs. Tingle”). Twenty-seven years later, “Scream 7” became his sophomore directing effort. His other screenwriting credits include “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997), “The Faculty,” and “Cursed.”His
Following “Air,” this is Affleck’s latest stint behind the camera. He has cast himself in the lead role, alongside Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, and Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”).