Variety confirms that director Wes Craven has signed on to direct Scream 4, from a script by original series scribe Kevin Williamson. The film will go into production this spring with original cast members Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette. It is set for release on April 12th 2011.

The sequel will take place in the original film’s setting of Woodsboro, ten years after the events of 2000’s Scream 3. Williams describes it as an “ensemble” which will introduce several new characters. Scream 4 will reference modern horror films, covering topics such as Asian remakes, PG-13 horror, vampires, Shyamalan-ian twists, and even torture porn. It is said to be the first film of a new trilogy masterminded by Williamson.

The fact that Wes Craven signed on gives me a ton of hope for this film. I love the original and enjoy the sequels to varying degrees, so if they can make a film even half as fun without retreading on the same story and themes, I’m 100% on board. Scream 4 is officially one of my most anticipated films of 2011.

If I had to guess? Sidney is now either a psychiatrist or a teacher (for easy connection to the new teenaged “ensemble”), Deputy Dewey is now SHERIFF Dewey, and Gale Weathers is a mystery novelist or true crime author of moderate fame. I do hope that the serial killer in this one drops the ghostface motiff and does something a little  different. I think that mask should be retired with the previous trilogy. Let this one stand on its own merit.

What do you guys think? Let us know in the comments section below!

The tweet read as followed

“Trying to figure out a Sid-less scenario. She won’t do it. This sucks.”

Up until this point, we were under the assumption that the only returning Scream vets would be The Arquettes; Courntey Cox as Gail Weathers and David as Dewey Riely. But apparently the Scream Queen was part of the mix was well. What part was she going to play in this semi-reboot? Will it matter now that Campbell won’t do it? Are you guys excited for a return to the Scream series?