Now, we know a little bit about what Kevin Williamson's Scream 5 would've entailed. But for shits and giggles, let's see what artificial intelligence thinks an immediate Scream 5 would have and should have been...
If Scream 5 had been made immediately after Scream 4 (around 2012-2014), it likely would have continued the narrative threads left open rather than the legacy reboot approach Scream (2022) took. Here's how a stronger, more fitting sequel could have played out:
1. Jill Survived & Became the New Ghostface
Since Scream 4 originally ended with Jill (Emma Roberts) believing she had won, a post-credit stinger or opening reveal that she survived her injuries but was exposed would have been an interesting twist.
- The film could focus on Jill in a mental institution or prison, manipulating new Ghostface killers to continue her legacy.
- Alternatively, Jill could escape and target a new group of victims while still trying to maintain her "final girl" reputation.
2. Sidney's Next Chapter
Sidney (Neve Campbell) survived Scream 4, but her story wasn't fully closed. A direct sequel could have explored:
- Sidney mentoring or protecting a new group of survivors, such as Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), who was heavily speculated to have survived.
- Sidney being hunted by a new Ghostface trying to finish what Jill started.
- Sidney dealing with a new set of murders in Hollywood, continuing the Scream 3 theme of her life being adapted into films.
3. Kirby as the New Lead
Since Kirby was a fan-favorite character, a Scream 5 that revealed she survived would have made her a great protagonist.
- She could be drawn back into Ghostface's game, with the killers targeting survivors from Scream 4.
- Perhaps she becomes obsessed with solving Ghostface-themed crime, making her a modern counterpart for Randy.
4. Cult of Ghostface
Building on Scream 4's themes of viral fame, a Scream 5 could introduce multiple killers working together.
- A group of internet-obsessed Ghostface killers inspired by Jill could emerge, making the threat bigger than ever.
- This idea would have been ahead of its time, considering how Scream VI eventually used a similar concept.
5. A More Direct Woodsboro Return
Instead of rebooting the series a decade later, Scream 5 in 2013-2014 could have returned to Woodsboro right away, dealing with the fallout from Jill's crimes and a new wave of Ghostface killings.
- The film could explore how the town reacts to yet another massacre, with Sidney, Dewey, and Gale playing key roles.
- Maybe another relative of a past Ghostface (like Roman's unknown accomplice) emerges for revenge.
Ideal Setup for Scream 5
The best version of Scream 5 right after Scream 4 would likely involve:
- Kirby as the new protagonist, with Sidney in a mentor role.
- Jill surviving and orchestrating killings from the shadows or inspiring a new Ghostface.
- A meta take on social media's influence on horror, building on Scream 4's themes.
- Ghostface being more unpredictable, possibly using a cult-like approach.
Would you have preferred Jill's return or a fresh mystery with new killers (which is what we eventually got in 2022)?
Not too shabby for an artificial take.
