The ‘Scream’ Franchise Producer, Marianne Maddalena, Remembers the Making of a Cult Classic.
For over three decades, producer Marianne Maddalena has left an indelible mark on the film industry. Her journey began in 1986, working as an assistant to a then-rising horror director Wes Craven on Deadly Friend. That project was the catalyst for a lifelong friendship and an iconic creative partnership that would shape the future of the genre.
Their collaborations include an impressive slate of films—The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), Shocker (1989), The People Under the Stairs (1991)—leading up to the Scream franchise, which would redefine horror forever.
“It was wonderful to work with Wes,” Maddalena recalls in an exclusive fan-driven interview for HelloSidney.com.
“There are so many memories! We had a ball on every movie.”
Scream hit theaters in December 1996, but even the team behind it couldn’t have predicted its meteoric rise to cult status.
“We liked the movie, but on opening night, we thought it was going to be a bomb,” Maddalena admits.
“Beavis and Butthead Do America was playing in the next theater, and people were laughing so hard… Meanwhile, our theater, at Universal, was very quiet, so we thought we had failed.”
Of course, Scream was anything but a failure. Thanks to strong word-of-mouth, the film exploded in popularity, breathing new life into a declining horror genre.
“I think it was just the right movie, at the right time, with the right cast, the right director, and, of course, the right script—it was kismet.”
While Maddalena fondly remembers the fun of making Scream, she also acknowledges that producing comes with its share of challenges.
“The most difficult stage of producing is always the writing,” she reveals.
Everything from scheduling, casting, and even wardrobe choices played a crucial role in shaping the film’s final look. Maddalena was deeply involved in visual details—including choosing the sweater Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore) wore in the iconic opening scene.
“I lost sleep over that decision,” she reveals.
But perhaps the biggest challenge? Finding the right mask for Ghostface.
Believe it or not, the now-iconic Ghostface mask wasn’t always a sure thing. The production originally worked with KNB EFX Group to create a custom design, but nothing seemed to fit. Then, during a location scout in Santa Rosa, Maddalena made a game-changing discovery.
“I was upstairs in a bedroom, found the mask, and brought it down to the team, including Wes.”
However, not everyone shared her enthusiasm.
“Nobody liked it. They really wanted to create their own, so we let it go.”
Weeks passed with no decision, and Maddalena pushed to revisit the mask.
“I just suggested we go back to that house and see if we could get that mask from the lady.”
Even after securing it, Bob Weinstein hated the mask, making things difficult.
“It was a nightmare for me because I found it. Later, he realized it was very effective.”
The rest is history—Ghostface would go on to become one of horror’s most recognizable and terrifying icons.
Fans often speculate on how much influence Harvey and Bob Weinstein had on the Scream series. Maddalena confirms that, while they were involved in all of the films, Scream 3 saw the most interference.
“The Weinsteins didn’t really become increasingly involved—they were always fairly involved. It was always Wes’ movie, but they were vocal. In Scream 3, they were very involved.”
Many horror fans also wonder about Wes Craven’s original cut of Cursed, the troubled 2005 werewolf film that underwent multiple rewrites and reshoots. Some hope that the original version might one day be released, but Maddalena isn’t so sure.
“The original Cursed was quite different. I don’t know if they will ever show us the first one because we actually didn’t complete it. We shot the movie three times.”
🔪 What’s your favorite Scream movie?
“Number one is always my favorite. Probably the opening sequence is the most exciting. It was the most fun to shoot.”
🎬 What’s your favorite scary movie?
“A Quiet Place.”
From discovering Ghostface to navigating the challenges of Hollywood, Marianne Maddalena has played an integral role in shaping Scream into the legendary franchise it is today. Her partnership with Wes Craven and her dedication to storytelling cement her as one of horror’s most respected producers.
As the franchise moves forward with new installments, her impact on Ghostface will always remain unforgettable.
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