Why do we think we need another Scream film to alleviate the so so horror movies we have had the past few years? While Scream definitely had it’s ups, it also had it’s downs. I must say though that the series had a great audience and that is most likely why we are having a fourth installment.

Check out the promo poster that the guys over at Arrow in the Head found. It’s a pretty solid promo shot but nonetheless…eh.

What do you guys think? Should Neve and crew of signed back on? I know it has the cast of the other films but come on? Is this trying to out last the Saw series? What do you all think?

You hear that sound? The one echoing all across the internet this morning? That’s the less than joyful noise of a dead horse being thoroughly flogged.

Looks like horror filmmaker Wes Craven will be returning to direct the fourth installment of his popular (in the 90s) horror franchise, Scream. With Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette all returning to no doubt combat one more whacked out psycho, Scream 4 has a slated release date of April 12, 2011. That’s almost exactly 11 years since the last entry hit theaters.

Kevin Williamson, the brain trust behind the first three films, has apparently turned out a script Craven is happy with. Wes’ acceptance doesn’t exactly lift my spirits though.  After those Hills Have Eyes remakes I question Craven’s taste. The news that Williamson already has ideas in place for Scream5 and 6 isn’t exactly cheering either.

Although I’m not surprised by this decision, especially at a time when studios are looking for ‘sure things’ with a built in audience, Scream feels like a concept that has long since run its course. It singlehandedly resurrected the slasher film, and gave birth to the terrifyingly annoying post-modern teen horror flick. Still, in this current climate of Saws and Hostels, one can’t help but be a bit nostalgic for those less malicious, tongue-in-cheek thrillers.

Unless of course, Williamson is planning to make the new movies grittier to match the changing times. Here’s hoping they end up being big goofy throwbacks. It’s about the only way I can seem them working at all. At least, though, this isn’t another remake. That’s something right?

Am I the only one what would rather be getting news of a Joss Whedon helmed, SMG starring, Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie instead of this?

I, mean, if we are in the business of resurrecting by-gone late 90′s horror franchises, why not?

Look! Another movie for us!

Last month we reported that David Arquette and his lovely wife, dancin’ Courteney Cox Arquette, were in talks to return to the Scream series.

Now it’s confirmed.

“We are going to be doing Scream 4,” Arquette told E! Online. “Kevin Williamson is writing the script at this moment, and hopefully Wes Craven is going to direct.”

Planned as a new trilogy, the next Scream series will focus on younger stars with no sign of Neve Campbell reprising her Sidney Prescott role. She has reportedly declined the role because she’s obviously busy with other projects.

Projects like NBC’s The Philanthropist.

Cox has also taken an interest in television and can be seen this fall on ABC’s Cougar Town.

Why the long face?

Last week we covered the Arquettes, Courtney Cox and David, and their talks in the proposed new Scream trilogy. Original Scream director Wes Craven has yet to confirm involvement with the new project but has left the door open to the possibility. “I’m not closed to it, I’m not open to it,” said the horror icon. “I’ll be perfectly happy to read a script and tell [Bob Weinstein] what I think.”

The new Scream films will feature a younger cast but are intended to include cameos of the original cast. No official word from Neve Campbell on if she will be included. Scream 1-3 scribe Kevin Williamson is currently working on the script for the new series.

The Scream series provided a satirical take on the cliched-riddled slasher film genre. The story features a serial killer wearing a Halloween costume who repeatedly attempts to kill Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell).

The next Scream is slated for 2010.

Talking point: Did Scream’s take on slasher films lead to Saw and other “torture porn” movies?

Gasp

Earlier this year, Bloody Disgusting reported that Scream 4 may be headed to a theater near you. Though not quite in the way you’d expect.

With Scream and Scream 2 writer Kevin Williamson attached to the project, there are rumors of Wes Craven returning as well. Planned as a new trilogy, the next Scream series will focus on younger stars.

David Arquette and Mrs. David Arquette (Courteney Cox) are currently in talks for cameos, but don’t expect the Scream franchise to focus too much on the past. It sounds like they’re headed for a Halloween H20-esque faux-franchise holder. New kids + key original characters = profitable yet underwhelming performance.

The timing for another round of Scream couldn’t be better. As the torture-porn scene fades into obscurity, more movies from the slasher sub-genre are starting to appear in the muck with a large segment of them being rehashs of older stories.