One of the joys of being a Scream fan is imagining the alternate realities of what could have been—and comparing them with the final film. Here are some plot twists and ideas that were left on the cutting room floor as Scream 4 evolved.

Motives to Come Back to Woodsboro

A January issue of Entertainment Weekly revealed that Sidney Prescott originally had a new phobia (a Woodsboro phobia?), and Neil Prescott’s funeral was her only reason to return to town. Early casting sides presented yet another version: Sidney visited Woodsboro to commemorate the anniversary of Maureen’s death.

Weathers-Riley Jr.

Wes Craven shared that Dewey and Gale were initially written as parents. “They had a kid in the first couple of drafts,” Craven explained. “But we decided that was going to make things impossible for shooting, and there really wasn’t a role for the kid. Courteney was always showing up at crime scenes with a baby. This is not going to work!”

The Massacre Week

Early drafts painted Woodsboro as significantly more unsettling. The first script iterations included a “Remembrance Week Memorial,” featured in early production photos, that would have highlighted the town’s dark history. Sadly, this atmospheric concept didn’t make it to the final cut.

Sidney: The Opening Victim

One of the boldest original ideas had Sidney Prescott attacked by Stab fan turned Ghostface in the opening scene. He kills a friend of hers, leaving her presumed dead, but she ultimately kills him. “Then there was a two-year gap while she recovered,” Craven revealed. “Bob [Weinstein] felt that would slow the pace of the story and thought it would be better to go with young characters.”

On the Casting Sides, But Not in the Movie

Bette, Sidney’s Personal Assistant

Before Rebecca Walters, played by Alison Brie, there was Bette. Described as “Sid’s whipper snapper assistant,” Bette was a Type-A overachiever fresh out of college, determined to impress. Her disdain for Gale Weathers was notable, but her character was ultimately reimagined.

Jill and Trevor’s Relationship

Originally, Jill and Trevor’s relationship began with light flirting. Jill was cautious of Trevor’s advances, and a deleted scene included a charming movie reference where Trevor noticed Jill’s love for The Way We Were on Facebook. Another omitted subplot involved Jarod, a possible former affair of Jill, whose body was found in a bizarre car accident a year after an argument with the couple.

More Investigation

Like the original Scream, Woodsboro High students were interrogated following the murders. Charlie’s interrogation scene with Dewey highlighted his Randy-like persona, contrasting with Billy Loomis’s darker traits.

More Movie References

The script once included nods to The Wicker Man, Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and other horror classics. Sadly, these references didn’t make the final cut.

Pop Culture Overflow

Mentions of The View, Lady Gaga, Avril Lavigne, and iPhone apps added humor to early drafts. These playful jokes were ultimately removed, possibly due to copyright concerns.