'Don't mess with the original!' Scream fans are torn over the fifth chapter's official title being the SAME as the first film

It was announced on Wednesday that the fifth film in the Scream series will be called Scream - leaving many fans unhappy.

The movie's title was revealed by creator of the franchise Kevin Williamson, who announced the news on social media, also informing fans that filming had wrapped.

'That’s a wrap on Scream, which I’m excited to announce is the official title of the next film!' Kevin penned - shunning presumptions that it would be called Scream 5.

Copycat: It was announced on Wednesday that the fifth film in the Scream series will be called Scream - the same title as the 1996 original
Original: This is the same title as the first film, released in 1996

Copycat: It was announced on Wednesday that the fifth film in the Scream series will be called Scream

The original chapter in the franchise, written by Williamson and released in 1996, was called Scream, with the sequels following the pattern of Scream 2, Scream 3, and Scream 4.

As the fifth film was revealed to be a continuation of the story - with original cast Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette returning to their roles - fans presumed it would be named Scream 5.

And many were left annoyed at the news that there will now be two films in the series with the same title.

'Yoo @kevwilliamson we already have a "Scream". Please rename the new flick something more creative than that. Thought you guys would do better!' one person tweeted.

Behind you! The movie's title was revealed by creator of the franchise Kevin Williamson, who announced the news on social media, also informing fans that filming had wrapped

Behind you! The movie's title was revealed by creator of the franchise Kevin Williamson, who announced the news on social media, also informing fans that filming had wrapped

Outrage: Many were left annoyed at the news that there will now be two films in the series with the same title

Outrage: Many were left annoyed at the news that there will now be two films in the series with the same title

Another added: 'How are you gonna call Scream 5 "Scream" when SCREAM IS ALREADY CALLED SCREAM!'

A third penned: 'There was SCR3AM and SCRE4M. It *should* be 5CREAM!'

Another tweeted: 'Please add something to the title. Calling it Scream is lazy and confusing!'

'Would’ve love to have been in the marketing meeting where they decided to call it “scream” but also to use #scream5 as the hashtag. As if it wasn’t already potentially confusing!' another agreed.

Hidden meaning? Others suggested that the styling of the teaser poster - with the iconic ghostface mask's mouth appearing below the title - was a nod to the roman numeral V for 5

Hidden meaning? Others suggested that the styling of the teaser poster - with the iconic ghostface mask's mouth appearing below the title - was a nod to the roman numeral V for 5

Meta? Classic slasher franchise Halloween returned in 2018 with original star Jamie Lee Curtis
The name game: This film was also titled Halloween, and served as a direct sequel to the 1978 original, ignoring the storylines from the intervening films

Meta? Classic slasher franchise Halloween returned in 2018 with original star Jamie Lee Curtis. This film was also titled Halloween, and served as a direct sequel to the 1978 original, ignoring the storylines from the intervening films

Someone else raged: 'Scream 5 simply being called Scream ala Halloween (2018) is making me feel angry for reasons I don't quite understand... I just don't get their reasoning. We already have a Scream. And it's a masterpiece. Now my expectations are teetering in a dangerously pointed slope...'

This tweet references the classic slasher franchise Halloween, which began with its original chapter in 1978, released seven sequels and two remakes over subsequent decades, and returned in 2018 with original star Jamie Lee Curtis.

This film was also titled Halloween, and served as a direct sequel to the 1978 original, ignoring the storylines from the intervening films.

Scream '5', however, will not ignore Scream 2-4.

As the fifth film was revealed to be a continuation of the story - with original cast Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox [pictured] returning to their roles - fans presumed it would be named Scream 5

As the fifth film was revealed to be a continuation of the story - with original cast Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox [pictured] returning to their roles - fans presumed it would be named Scream 5

Other franchises to vaguely follow this pattern include the Final Destination films and the Fast & Furious series.

Horror film Final Destination was released in 2000, was followed by Final Destination 2 and 3, but made the decision to name the fourth film The Final Destination in 2009, despite it being sequel, not a reboot. This was followed by Final Destination 5 in 2011.

2001's The Fast And The Furious was followed by two sequels with differing names; but the fourth movie, released in 2009, was titled Fast & Furious.

The Shaft franchise features three films all with the same names, released in 1971, 2000 and 2019.

Another mused: 'People getting mad seem to forget that Scream is meant to pay homage to horror franchises. It makes complete sense for Scream to do this!'

Another mused: 'People getting mad seem to forget that Scream is meant to pay homage to horror franchises. It makes complete sense for Scream to do this!'

These movies are sequels to one another, rather than remakes or reboots, much like Scream [2022] is a sequel to the original Scream and its subsequent follow-ups.

Others were less miffed with the reveal: 'The thing is, I don't think I have any comments on Scream 5 being titled Scream. I just want this film already!'

'It’s not even a big deal. Everyone knows it’s a fifth installment to the franchise but since it’s going back to its roots of the original film calling it just "Scream" is perfectly fine!'

Another mused: 'People getting mad seem to forget that Scream is meant to pay homage to horror franchises. What are those franchises doing atm? Rebooting with a title that's just the same as the original (I.e. Halloween, Candyman). It makes complete sense for Scream to do this!' 

Following suit? Horror film Final Destination was released in 2000, was followed by Final Destination 2 and 3
Shake up: The fourth film was named The Final Destination in 2009, despite it being sequel, not a reboot

Following suit? Horror film Final Destination was released in 2000, was followed by Final Destination 2 and 3, but made the decision to name the fourth film The Final Destination in 2009, despite it being sequel, not a reboot. This was followed by Final Destination 5 in 2011

Original: Scream debuted in 1996 with Drew Barrymore billed as the star - only to be killed off in the first 10 minutes

Original: Scream debuted in 1996 with Drew Barrymore billed as the star - only to be killed off in the first 10 minutes

Doubling up: 2001's The Fast And The Furious was followed by two sequels with differing names; but the fourth movie, released in 2009, was titled Fast & Furious
Doubling up: 2001's The Fast And The Furious was followed by two sequels with differing names; but the fourth movie, released in 2009, was titled Fast & Furious

Doubling up: 2001's The Fast And The Furious was followed by two sequels with differing names; but the fourth movie, released in 2009, was titled Fast & Furious

Others suggested that the styling of the teaser poster - with the iconic ghostface mask's mouth appearing below the title - was a nod to the roman numeral V for 5. 

There is also a spin-off series, also titled Scream, which has to date aired three seasons and is unrelated to the film franchise. 

The fifth film sees the franchise taken over by Matthew Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, after original director Wes Craven died in 2015.

Williamson appeared to hint that more movies are in the pipeline. He posted: 'Nearly 25 years ago, when I wrote Scream and Wes Craven brought it to life, I could not have imagined the lasting impact it would have on you, the fans.

Shaft x 3: The Shaft franchise features three films all with the same names, released in 1971, 2000 and 2019
Shaft x 3: The Shaft franchise features three films all with the same names, released in 1971, 2000 and 2019

Shaft x 3: The Shaft franchise features three films all with the same names, released in 1971, 2000 and 2019

'I’m excited for you to return to Woodsboro and get really scared again. I believe Wes would’ve been so proud of the film that Matt and Tyler are making.

'I’m thrilled to be reunited with Neve, Courteney, David and Marley, and to be working alongside a new filmmaking team and incredible cast of newcomers that have come together to continue Wes’s legacy with the upcoming relaunch of the franchise that I hold so dear to my heart.'

Scream is set for a January 2022 release.

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