In a pre-social media era, this was an atomic bomb. Dimension Films and director Wes Craven realized that if they shot the script as written, thousands of fans would walk into the theater already knowing the third-act reveals. The meta commentary of Scream had turned back on itself—the movie about sequels was being destroyed by the very audience it sought to entertain.

Midway through the film, Derek is kidnapped by the Killer. Sidney receives a call: come to the frat house alone, or Derek dies. When Sidney arrives, she finds Derek tied to a cross in the frat house basement. The Killer forces her to choose: save him or run.

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.

: Derek and Hallie were revealed to be secret lovers who were "obsessed" with the fame surrounding the original murders. A Darker, Bloodier Ending

In the released film, the killers are (motive: revenge for her son Billy) and Mickey (motive: wanting to get caught for a trial). It works brilliantly.

Do you think the original Scream 2 script would have been better than the film we got? Or did the leak force a happy accident that gave us a classic? Share your thoughts—just make sure Ghostface isn’t reading over your shoulder.

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