Kevin Williamson, the mastermind behind the Scream franchise, had remained noticeably absent and silent throughout the filming of Scream 4. His apparent dissatisfaction with the project had fueled months of speculation, with the most common theory pointing to the production’s need for rewrites—a deviation that reportedly did not sit well with the writer.

During a recent interview with Collider, Williamson offered a rare comment about the upcoming film. While not delving into specifics, his statement hinted at his perspective on the current state of horror and Scream‘s place within it:

“We haven’t had a lot of straight-ahead slasher flicks in this generation. We’re not really doing the teenager horror film right now, so maybe it’s time. I don’t see a lot of them coming out, and the ones that have come out haven’t been that successful.”

Though brief, Williamson’s remark suggests a sense of optimism that Scream 4 could reignite the slasher genre for a new generation. With Scream 4 set to release on April 15, 2011, horror enthusiasts are eager to see how the franchise will resonate with a new era of audiences while honoring its legacy.