Paramount Pictures released a new photo of Scream's Ghostface killer.
Shared by USA Today, the photo features Ghostface, the iconic killer of all previous Scream films, in the classic black, hooded cloak with their signature weapon: a bloody, Buck 120 hunting knife. In this fifth installment in the franchise, a new person will don the Ghostface mask and embark on a killing spree in the town of Woodsboro, 25 years after the first 1996 film of the same name.
Promotional material leading up to the release of Scream repeatedly teased the mysterious identity of the new Ghostface killer. Previously released posters featured returning franchise alums Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott, Courteney Cox's Gale Weathers and David Arquette's Dewey Riley each holding the Ghostface mask, further driving home that the identity of the killer can, in fact, be anyone. Another poster, featuring the above-mentioned characters as well as several newcomers, including Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid), even teased that "the killer is on this poster." This is in line with previous Scream films, as a different person has appeared as Ghostface in every iteration of the franchise.
Like the films before it, the identity of Ghostface has been kept tightly under wraps even from the actors, who were each given differing scripts in order to keep the Woodsboro killer's identity a mystery. Original Scream director Wes Craven did something similar on his sets, often filming additional scenes in order to keep his actors unsure of the major reveal. While plot details surrounding Scream remain scarce, the official synopsis revealed that the story will take place 25 years after the first 1996 film as "a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past."
The fifth installment in the franchise, simply titled Scream, is described by the cast and crew as a relaunch rather than a sequel. While the newest installment features a mix of old and new cast members, this will be the first film in the franchise not directed by Craven, who passed in August 2015. Original Scream writer and current executive producer, Kevin Williamson, announced that filming had wrapped in November 2020. "Nearly 25 years ago, when I wrote Scream and Wes Craven brought it to life, I could not have imagined the lasting impact it would have on you, the fans," he said. "I'm excited for you to return to Woodsboro and get really scared again. I believe Wes would've been so proud of the film that Matt and Tyler are making."
Scream is one of many films and television shows whose premieres have been affected by the recent surge of the omicron variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19). While its red carpet premiere has been canceled, Scream is still slated to arrive in theaters on Jan. 14, 2022.
Source: USA Today