⚠️ Disclaimer: This article contains light speculation and potential Scream 5 spoilers. Proceed with caution if you’d rather stay spoiler-free.

This week, a curious update appeared on Google’s Scream 5 search board: Duane Martin, who played Joel — Gale Weathers’ shaky cameraman in Scream 2 — was suddenly listed among the cast.

At first glance, it felt suspicious. Much like IMDb, Google’s info panels can be edited by users, and considering Joel famously fled Windsor College when things got messy, it seemed wildly unlikely he’d ever set foot in Woodsboro.

Still, the internet noticed — and then things got weirder.

The April Fools’ mystery

On April 1st, Duane Martin posted a #TBT photo from Scream 2, adding a cryptic tease about Scream 5.

Was it a joke? A hint? Or something in between?

Then came another twist: Scream 5 co-director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin followed him on Instagram the same day. Coincidence, or calculated chaos?

Fact-checking the rumor mill

Channeling my inner Gale Weathers — and doing what every responsible site should before spreading confusion — I reached out to my sources for clarification.

The reply was as intriguing as it was inconclusive:

“Nobody thinks Duane is back, but we’re not sure. There are definitely weird rumors about reshoots and filming outside North Carolina that didn’t involve the Wilmington crew. So, I could see it happening: a good cameo from each past movie.”

That line hit like Wanda Maximoff twisting reality itself. Could Scream 5 really be weaving side characters from every film into its story?

Connecting the clues

The theory suddenly clicked.

• Marley Shelton covers Scream 4,

• Heather Matarazzo represents Scream 3…

So who might stand for the first two films? Could Joel return for Scream 2, or another forgotten face emerge from Woodsboro’s past?

It might sound far-fetched, but Scream has never shied away from meta-layered callbacks — and this idea fits right into that DNA.

Counting down to January 14, 2022

Whether it was a prank, a leak, or a breadcrumb trail for fans, the possibility of cameos across the saga only added to the anticipation.

One thing’s certain: we’re in for surprises when Scream 5 slashes into theaters on January 14, 2022.

🕸️ Check out the suspects on the “Carrie Mathison” investigation board I built for you at the top of this article — and keep your conspiracy corkboards ready.