Kevin Williamson Steps Back from Directing "Scream 8"

Kevin Williamson won’t be directing "Scream 8".

During an interview with Hello Sidney, the filmmaker said that he does not expect to write or direct "Scream 8," the potential follow-up for Paramount and Spyglass Media’s long-running slasher franchise.

Williamson, who penned the script for director Wes Craven’s original Scream that debuted in 1996, returned to the franchise to co-write and direct "Scream 7," which hit theaters last month.

He previously revealed that he had started "spit-balling" ideas for Scream 8 and that star Neve Campbell had a "great idea" for where the story could go, but it seems that Williamson is keen to take a major step back and allow someone else to take the reins on the prospective next chapter.

“Not Scream, no,” Williamson said with a laugh when asked if his work on Scream 7 made him want to do more directing. “I want to direct another film that I had written that is just waiting for me to find the time to direct. And right now, I’m working on a couple TV shows that I’m really excited about. So maybe I’ll direct one of those — who knows? For the next Scream, I’ll probably step back and just be a part of the family again.”

The Dawson’s Creek creator offered more thoughts on the topic when asked about possible themes for future Scream movies. “I don’t know,” he said. “Whoever does it will have to let us know. I have some ideas of where it could go, but I’m anxious to see what another storyteller could do with it. I hope that we get the chance to do it. It’s nice to be part of the Scream family. That doesn’t mean I always have to be front and center. I don’t always have to write or direct. Other people can take the reins. I’m excited to see what other storytellers come up with.”

According to Williamson, an eighth Scream film has not yet gotten the green light from the studio: “I’m hopeful there will be an 8. No one’s really talking about it yet. We just assume, with the box office, we hope there will be one. But no one’s talking.”

Scream 7 stars Neve Campbell, Isabel May and Anna Camp and has surpassed $150 million at the global box office. Featuring a script that Williamson co-wrote with Guy Busick from a story credited to Busick and James Vanderbilt, Scream 7 focuses on Sidney (Campbell) fearing for the safety of her daughter (May) when a murderous new Ghostface surfaces.