Not even a $3 million dollar lawsuit against The Weinstein Company from a former producer cannot slow down the impending doom that is “Scream 4.” No one was clamoring for it, but it’s happening whether we like it or not. So be prepared for casting updates, storyline tidbits, and the inevitable 3D news story (or wait, it’s already in 3D, right? Does it even matter anymore?).
Heat Vision brings us casting information which basically tell us more dumb, young, hot teen actors have been cast for roles that will likely see them die after a few minutes of screentime. THR reports that “Twilight” thesp Ashley Greene, the finally grown up Rory Culkin, and now-defunct “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere will round out the cast of the new film. Chaperoning the young cast will be Lake Bell from “How to Make It in America.” Pretty tame, but predictable casting, it’s pretty obvious that they’re bringing in the relatively unknowns for a fresh trilogy.
Greene will play Neve Campbell’s cousin, Panettiere will play her friend (who is a film geek, be prepared for awkward references — god, kill us now. Just be glad she’s better looking than Jamie Kennedy.), and Culkin will play a possible love interest. Bell is in talks to play a police officer that knew Campbell from high school.
Chances are the veterans will play a mentor role in the new film, and most likely be killed off throughout the duration of the film to make room for the new cast. After all, nobody wants their parents hanging around all the time. Can’t everyone just die though? And as gruesomely as possible, please? (including the people who greenlit this nonsense).
Casting is also reported to be moving “slowly,” because director Wes Craven and studio Dimension are sending vague casting descriptions around rather than the full script to prevent leaks. We’re not really sure who is salivating for plot info, but maybe that guy who is always the Scream killer for Halloween has a blog. We wouldn’t put it past him.
The picture is slated for an odd April 15th release. Why “Scream 4?” The same reason The Weinstein Company begged Robert Rodriguez to make “Spy Kids 4,” aka “Spy Kids: Armageddon.” They are all about franchises these days, the box-office appeal of which they hope will balance out their shaky business in the last twelve months. Let’s hope for their sake it pays off so they can go back to making the Miramax-like indie dramas we actually enjoy. “Scream” the original film was a nice injection to the horror genre, but the franchise immediately went south, so we’ll just say best of luck to you all.
