Bloody Disgusting was the first to tell you this morning that Radio Silence (V/H/S, Southbound, Ready or Not, Scream, Scream VI) will not be returning to direct the upcoming Scream 7 due to scheduling issues, and we also let you know that Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky) was in talks to direct. Well, it looks like it’s now official.
The Hollywood Reporter made it official this afternoon, reporting that Spyglass “has tapped Christopher Landon, a scary movie stalwart whose credits include the Happy Death Day movies as well as body-switching horror-comedy Freaky, to direct the seventh installment of the long-running franchise.” This according to “multiple sources,” THR also notes.
Scream and Scream VI directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Radio Silence) will remain on board as executive producers, as will Chad Villella.
No word yet on who will be writing Scream 7, but THR reports that Melissa Barrera and Mason Gooding are expected to return. As for Jenna Ortega, only time will tell.
THR notes, “Ortega’s deal will be one to watch, as the actress signed on to the franchise before she was catapulted to the A-list thanks to Netflix’s Wednesday.”
The ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have halted productions across Hollywood at this time, so it may be a while before production on Scream VII actually gets underway.
Landon also wrote the second, third, fourth and seventh installments of the Paranormal Activity franchise, along with writing and directing Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. Needless to say, he’s got a highly respectable horror pedigree as he heads into Woodsboro, and his previous work proves he has the right sensibilities for the Scream saga.
Stay tuned for more...
