AlthoughScream 2was directed by the original movie’s legendary director, Wes Craven, screenwriter Kevin Williamson confirmed that Robert Rodriguez almost made the firstScreamsequel instead.TheScreamfranchise’s movies and TV showshave been directed and written by a diverse array of creators, withXdirector Ti West directing an episode of theScreamTV series while futureTop Gun: Maverickscribe Ehren Kruger pennedScream 3’s screenplay.
However, no name is as closely associated with theScreamfranchise as Wes Craven. Despite this, whenScreenRant’s Ash Crossan asked whetherScreamscreenwriter Kevin Williamson almost directed 1998’sThe Faculty, Williamson revealed that, in reality, it wasThe Faculty’s director Robert Rodriguez who almost directedScream’s first sequel. Per Williamson:
“No, no. That was Robert Rodriguez. Robert Rodriguez almost directed Scream 2. I don’t know if anyone knows that. I think Wes was hesitant about doing a sequel. He was worried that he had other opportunities, and I think he was worried about getting trapped into Scream. But then, of course, he didn’t want to leave it, so he came back. But we talked to Robert about it, and he was up to do it. And then he moved over and he did The Faculty, which I love. I think The Faculty was fun. It was sort of — I feel like it’s very ’90s. When you watch it, to me, it’s just like a time capsule of the ’90s right there."
Robert Rodriguez’s Version of Scream 2 Would Likely Have Felt Very Different
The Director’s Earlier Movies Were Mostly Action-Packed Western Thrillers
Although Williamson will soon return to the series todirect 2026’s upcomingScream 7, this interview with Crossan was in promotion for Netflix’s upcoming drama seriesThe Waterfront.Arriving on the streaming service on June 19,The Waterfrontstars Maria Bello and Melissa Benoist and is created by Williamson. Williamson’s revelation follows decades of speculation asit has long been rumored that Rodriguez almost directedScream 2before Craven opted to return to the series.
Rodriguez would have been a fascinating choice for the job since his career to date had mostly consisted of Western action thrillers, rather than horror movies. Admittedly, 1996’s vampire movieFrom Dusk Till Dawnfeatured plenty of blood and gore, but it was an action thriller with Western elements as much as a straightforward horror movie. Meanwhile,El MariachiandDesperadowere straight-up action movies, and Rodriguez’s mentor and collaboratorQuentin Tarantino vocally dislikedScream.
Our Take On Robert Rodriguez Almost Directing Scream 2
Wes Craven’s Direction Was Truly Irreplaceable In The Scream Sequel
In a creative nod to this behind-the-scenes reshuffle,Scream 2’s opening features a playful reference to Rodriguez’s near-miss run-in with the franchise. The real-life director is credited with “directing”Stab 2, the fictional horror film within a film seen inScream 2’s opening scene. Although this is a fun meta-gag, Craven was undoubtedly the correct choice for the sequel. WhileScreamis famously masterful in its execution,Scream 2’s direction might be even more impressive than its predecessor’s slick pacing.
Sequences like the killer stalking Gale and Dewey through a soundproof studio are among the most suspenseful and inventive in the franchise, and arguably in Craven’s entire screen career.
On the whole,Scream 2is let down by a bizarre killer reveal. However, sequences like the killer stalking Gale and Dewey through a soundproof studio or Sidney escaping from a car wreck by climbing over the unconscious killer are among the most suspenseful and inventive in the franchise, and arguably in Craven’s entire screen career. WhileScream 3was a letdown,Scream 2’s peerless direction benefited from Craven’s touch and theScreamsequel wouldn’t have been the same in the hands of Rodriguez.
