Yes, the sensitive, singing boyfriend played by Jerry O’Connell was originally the villain. In this draft, Derek and (Sidney’s roommate) are revealed as the killers. The motivation is more intimate and psychologically damaging for Sidney. Derek reveals he is actually Billy Loomis’s cousin (or half-brother in some variations of the lore), seeking revenge for Billy's death. It turns the "boyfriend is the killer" trope on its head by making the audience genuinely like Derek before pulling the rug out. The Tragedy of Randy Meeks Perhaps the most heartbreaking difference lies in the fate of the fan-favorite character, Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy). Batman Arkham Knight Pc Trainer Fling Best
In the theatrical release, the killers are Mrs. Loomis (Billy’s mother) and Mickey (a film student). The reveal is solid, but it lacks the visceral punch of the original Scream . Software182 Better [UPDATED]
In a cruel twist of life imitating art, the script itself fell victim to the reality of filmmaking. Because the script leaked onto the internet before shooting wrapped, Kevin Williamson and the Weinsteins ordered emergency rewrites to protect the ending.
However, the differences become apparent in the second and third acts. The pacing is relentless. Williamson’s original draft was accused of being "too long" by studio executives, but on the page, the length allows for deeper character beats. The death scenes are described with a grisly intensity that the MPAA likely would have gutted (no pun intended). Characters like Randy Meeks and Derek (Sidney’s boyfriend) have more agency and screen time before their fates are sealed. The true selling point of this script—and the reason it was rewritten—is the climax.
It serves as a reminder that in horror, just like in the movies Kevin Williamson loved, the most interesting stories are often the ones that got away.
Title: The Ghostface That Got Away Writer: Kevin Williamson Draft: Early Production Draft (The "Leaked" Script)