Scream stars reunite at Midsummer Scream for films 30th anniversary
Midsummer Scream has come and gone from the Long Beach Convention Center. During the event, a panel was held reuniting the cast of the original Scream for the film’s 30th anniversary. Spoilers ahead, though if you haven’t seen this 30 year old classic yet… well, what are you waiting for? A theatrical screening?
If so, or if you’re simply a fan wanting to experience Scream (1996) on the big screen, then you’re in luck. Paramount’s horror label, Paramount Scares, made the exclusive announcement at this panel that the film will be re-releasing in theaters later this year to celebrate its 30th anniversary. But you won’t have to wait until its original release date on Dec. 20 to see it, because Paramount it’s returning just in time for Halloween. Starting Oct. 30, the original Scream will be playing in select theaters.
As for the panel itself (seriously, spoilers ahead), it was hosted by Matthew Lillard, who played Stu Macher. Joining him were Skeet Ulrich (Billy Loomis), Jamie Kennedy (Randy Meeks), Roger L. Jackson (the voice of Ghostface), Joseph Whipp (Sheriff Burke), and Lee Waddell (Ghostface’s stunt performer). Together they talked about the film, its fans, behind the scenes info, and even made some announcements of their own.
Kennedy pushed back against the notion that the original Scream is a mere cult classic. He said it’s way bigger, that the film “became a movement.” Given how strong of an influence Scream (1996) has had on horror movies in the 30 years since its release, it’s hard to argue with that.
Meanwhile, Whipp expressed that he’s “just blessed to have been in this movie.” Whipp had also appeared in Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street back in 1984 as Sergeant Parker.
Ulrich described how long it took to film the third act party sequence. When asked specifically about the confrontation in the kitchen, he said that it took 17 shooting days. The crew wound up making and wearing shirts that said “I Survived Scene 118.”
Ulrich also addressed the long-running fan question about whether it was Billy or Stu who killed Tatum, although he did so without actually answering it. He said that it was never decided by the filmmakers. Not even the man who wrote it, Kevin Williamson, had settled on an answer.
Jackson explained how Craven incorporated his Ghostface voice into filming. At first, Jackson had only been hired to help film the opening scene with Drew Barrymore. But Craven kept him on afterwards, having Jackson perform his lines live on set as he talked with each actor over the phone.
Waddell told the story behind filming Principal Himbry’s death. The stuntman had been too starstruck to sell himself stabbing Henry Winkler, so Winkler stayed in character between takes. He kept needling Waddell, and the take that made it into the film is the one they shot after Winkler finally got a reaction out of him.
Lillard promoted his Ghost Face Vodka. It’s a potato vodka that he sells through Macabre, an imprint of his company Find Familiar Spirits. The bottle comes with a QR code on it that leads to their exclusive Ghost Face take on the game Mafia. After selling out online, Ghost Face Vodka is heading to Total Wine this season.
The panel paused to remember Wes Craven. He was the director of the first four Scream movies, the man behind A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994), and he was responsible for so many other fondly remembered films. Whipp noted that the director’s birthday had fallen on the previous Sunday, Aug. 2, and that Aug. 30 marks the anniversary of his passing in 2015. Several panelists described how Craven would let them improvise and ask for another take during filming. This freedom allowed for the birth of moments such as Lillard’s “You hit me with the phone, dick!” that would go on to be beloved by fans.
Scream (1996) returns to select theaters on Oct. 30 later this year.
