Scream 4 To Mock Horror Sequels By Being One

Because a new Nightmare on Elm Street isn't enough to satiate your nostalgic horror needs, here comes Scream 4. And, if you're lucky, Scream 5 and Scream 6. But lest you think this series reboot is just some desperate money grab for Bob Weinstein in the same way the Star Wars prequels were for George Lucas, Scream 4 plans to reinvent the genre... by slavishly sticking to the genre. Just don't tell director Wes Craven.

The horror icon spoke to EW about what the return of the Scream franchise means after 10 years of relentlessly similar horror films and, well, perhaps someone should explain to Craven what movie he's actually making:

"[T]his is a look at horror after 10 years of a lot of sequels rather than original films coming up year after year. One film is successful, and then they make 25 of them. I think it's time for something new. I've done remakes of my own films, too, with The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes, but we feel it's time for something new and different, and that's what this film is going to be."

Since this appears in print, it's hard to judge whether Craven said any of it with a straight face. However, assuming he did: What the what? Just so everyone is clear: The best way to mock and satirize the flagging horror genre is to make a fourth film in a flagging horror series. Who can argue with logic like that? Get your tickets now.

· Exclusive: New 'Scream 4' Poster, Plus an Interview with Director Wes Craven [EW]