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It all began on such a promising note.
It sounded like a horror movie fan’s dream come true: Director Christopher Landon cut his teeth as a writer/director on some of the better-received scary movies in recent memory. From Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Happy Death Day, Happy Death Day 2U and the more recent We Have a Ghost, Landon consistently proved himself as having a solid ear for the horror genre. Apparently we’re not the only ones who thought so – the Freaky helmer was tapped shortly before the beginning of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes to direct the seventh installment in the Wes Craven/Kevin Williamson-created horror movie franchise Scream. Following in some pretty big shadows – Craven and the franchise invigorators Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and partner-in-crime Tyler Gillett (known best by their industry nom de plume “Radio Silence”) have been steering the Scream ship since 1996 – many eyed Landon as a natural successor and looked forward to whatever he was set to deliver with the seventh chapter.
The above hopes have been dashed as our pals over at The Hollywood Reporter broke the sad news over the holiday weekend that director Christopher Landon has officially exited the directing chair of Scream VII.
The news of Landon’s departure did not come as a complete surprise to some Hollywood pundits who, over the course of the past one month, witnessed the firing of one of the franchise’s key actresses Melissa Barrera. In quick succession, the new film also lost rising starlet Jenna Ortega who opted to take a powder from the upcoming film a mere twenty-four hours after her colleague’s firing. Many felt it was only a matter of time before the troubled production saw even more upheaval.
In a social media post announcing his departure from the directing chair of the new Scream flick, Landon said that “I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago. This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on. I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”
No official word as of press time as to who might possibly take Landon’s spot. Our quick and hot take on the whole shebang? Start the script over from page one with creator and original scribe Kevin Williamson doing the entire rewrite, head back to the negotiation tables to rehire original Scream chanteuse Neve Campbell (and this time pay her what she’s worth) and don’t let David Gordon Green a country mile near the new film, directing-wise.
Stay tuned for any and all updates regarding the rocky fits and starts of Scream VII!
