Scream VI Writers Open Up About the Film’s Evolution

Scream VI writers Guy Busick and James Vanderbilt reveal changes to the film’s initial ending and how the film transformed throughout its production.

Spoilers ahead for Scream (2022), Scream VI, and Scream 2.

Busick and Vanderbilt sat down with Entertainment Weekly to talk about the franchise and its connections to past Scream films. Scream (2022) brought a new generation of victims into the Scream universe. Sisters, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) and Tara’s friends are hunted by two new Ghostface killers. They are revealed to be Richie (Jack Quaid), Sam’s boyfriend, and Amber (Mikey Madison). Tara and Sam escape the killers, while the attackers meet their demise.

Promo for Scream(2022)📸🎥🍿 pic.twitter.com/beCW9fdn1w

— The Hot Horror Queen (@hothorrorqueen) March 20, 2023

Scream VI showcases Richie’s father and his siblings taking revenge on the survivors through the franchise’s classic masked rampage. Busick shared with Entertainment Weekly, “We just knew it was going to be a family, a secret family, and they had a slightly different motive for coming after Sam.” 

Busick went on to explain the differences in the motivation of the killers between Scream (2022) and Scream VI. In Scream (2022), he states the killings were “very intellectual,” and “esoteric.” However, for Scream VI they, “wanted something really primal. It had to be more personal.” That is when they decided to involve Richie in the mix. Busick explained that Scream VI “ties all the way back into our first movie together and it tells one big story.'”

Except no other Scream movie or Ghostface has ever felt more alive, intimidating, and connected to the entire franchise. I’ve seen it 3 times now, I implore you to watch again.

— Tyler is seeing Taylor✨ (@hisxreputation) March 11, 2023

Although it’s noticeable that Scream VI is filled with Scream 2 easter eggs, the writers revealed the ending of the film was initially not one of them. They detailed that they were having trouble finding a place for the final showdown. Vanderbilt claimed the location was “just going to be in a warehouse.” No set “really worked,” until their location scout found the perfect place — a theater. 

Busick shared, “We were uneasy because we didn’t want people to think we were just copying and pasting from Scream 2.” But once they saw it in person, they knew it would give the film a unique tone. Busick noted that this set also gave the writers a chance to “include the late Richie Kirsch’s ‘fan films,’ which included footage provided by Jack Quaid himself from his younger days.”

The writers noted that the ending was closely connected to Scream 2, sharing that “it felt very much in line with definitely Laurie Metcalf [Debbie Salt, Billy Loomis’ mom], but very much in line with the whole franchise.” Ultimately, they experimented with the idea that “almost every Scream goes back,” with each film connected.

Exactly. That’s really the only problem I had with the film was the body count of people actually connected to Sam and motive was low. It makes you wonder how Scream 7 will go as you expect each movie to get a more serious motive.

— Matt Daniels ✍️😱🔪🩸 (@MattDScreams) March 12, 2023

While fans had mixed reviews of Scream VI, the film has become a box-office hit, debuting at $44.5 million. Scream VI is in theaters now and the official trailer is available to watch below.