Summary
Scream 7is gearing up to begin filming sometime in 2024, with Neve Campbell officially back on board to portray the iconic final girl, Sidney Prescott. The seventh entry in the horror franchise will be directed by Kevin Williamson, butit remains unclear if the upcoming sequel will actually be calledScream 7, or choose to drop the number, and opt for a subtitle like many other franchises.
The first four Scream movies were numbered, but there was a break in tradition when the Scream franchise returned to the big screen in 2022, as the fifth movie was just calledScreaminstead ofScream 5. This was the same trick used in theiconic Halloween horror franchise, when it returned in 2018, opting to be named the same as the original 1978 movie. The sixth entry used Roman numerals and was calledScream VI, which poses the question: WillScream 7be calledScream VII, or will it drop numbers altogether and opt for a subtitle?
Why did the Scream franchise drop traditional numbers from its titles?
Hollywood has been known for producing many sequels over the years, but it has become more reliant on returning franchises rather than original properties in recent years, forcing them to be more creative with their titles. A recent trend has seen the ditching of numbers from sequel titles, in favor of subtitles or a return to the original movie’s title.
The Scream franchise opted for the latter option when it returned in 2022, after an eleven-year hiatus, with a mixed response from fans when it came to its title. To many, the 1996 original will always be the one and onlyScream, so when the fifth Scream movie was released, it caused confusion and disruption to the franchise. It was especially puzzling becauseScream (2022)was a continuation of the story, with returning characters. WhenHalloween (2018)came out, there was a significant retcon of the sequels that came before it, and it acted as a direct sequel to the 1978 original, making the dropping of numbers from its new title more justified, albeit still causing confusion with the original.
Scream (2022)was clever enough to make light of its new title in the commentary about requels throughout the movie, and on the basis of that, it makes sense to be called Scream. However, the real reason forScreamand many other franchises doing this, is to create the illusion that the audience doesn’t need to see any of the previous entries in order to watch the new release. This is the same for movies with subtitles. For example,Mission Impossible: Rogue Nationwas the fifth movie in the action franchise.
Directed By
Kevin Williamson
Scream 6used Roman numerals for its title after the success ofScreamin 2022, figuring fans would be more accepting of a VI instead of a 6, and this was backed up by the resounding success of the sixth movie at the box office.Scream 7will be set after the events of the last movie, but Sam and Tara won’t be returning, withScream 6now acting as an end to their story. This suggestsit might be time to adopt a subtitle instead of Roman numerals or numbers for the upcoming sequel, as the focus shifts back onto Sidney Prescott.
Possible subtitles
Many horror sequels have opted for the subtitle, and some have worked very well. After the initial confusion ofHalloweenin 2018, the two sequels that followed it were calledHalloween KillsandHalloween Ends. They were simplified subtitles, but very effective, despite them essentially being the 12th and 13th entries in the long-runningMichael Myerssaga.
Screamis one of the few horror franchises that has maintained the same timeline throughout the years, making it stand out among the rest.It is very importantScream 7has an effective title that fits in with the legacy, while also potentially paving the way for a new generation of fans.Scream: Legacyhas a great ring to it, and feels fitting as the new movie will likely re-unite legacy characters,Gale Weathersand Mark Kincaid with Sidney Prescott, for another stand-off with Ghostface.
Scream: The Final Chaptercould work from a marketing point of view to entice the audience in for one final scare, but with the likelihood ofScream 7not being the last one in the popular series, it might be wise to avoid this one or a variation of it that hints towards a final entry in the franchise. Either way,an effective subtitle for the upcoming sequel would work much better thanScream VII.
