Scream 7 is set to slash away one franchise staple, according to director Kevin Williamson.

Marking a follow-up to 2023’s Scream 6, the upcoming installment in the long-running horror franchise features the return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott to face off against a new Ghostface killer. In addition to bloody kills, the Scream movies are beloved due to their meta horror humor and storytelling, an element that could take more of a backseat in the upcoming slasher flick.

Speaking with Empire Magazine (via GamesRadar+), Williamson, who wrote the first four Ghostface films, suggests that meta commentary won’t be a focus in Scream 7. Instead, the film prioritizes a story about legacy and family. As Williamson explains:

“This movie doesn’t really have that meta goal. It’s continuing the legacy of Sidney Prescott. It’s about her daughter. It’s about family.”

One of the elements that set Wes Craven’s first Scream movie apart from its contemporaries was its clever subversion and deconstruction of tried and true horror tropes. Each new installment has built upon this, with 2022’s Scream leaning into meta commentary on the Hollywood legacy sequel fad.

Though Williamson is not saying that his upcoming film will be absent of the franchise’s meta humor, his comment does seemingly confirm that this element will not be front and center, with Sidney’s journey and family taking the spotlight. Isabel May is poised to play a crucial role as Sidney’s daughter, Tatum, in the film, with Joel McHale playing Sidney’s husband, Mark.

The Scream 7 cast also includes a host of familiar faces, including Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, and Scott Foley. These returning actors are joined by newcomers like Mckenna Grace, Anna Camp, Michelle Randolph, and Asa Germann, among others.

It remains to be seen how the upcoming Scream movie fares with audiences given Williamson’s latest comment, but it’s possible that some viewers won’t be pleased with this deviation from franchise tradition. If the upcoming sequel takes itself more seriously, it could lose part of what has made these films so successful.

On the other hand, a change could help to keep the franchise feeling fresh and relevant, and it could help pave the way for many more Ghostface outings to come. With Scream 7‘s release now only a few weeks away, it won’t be long until critics and audiences weigh in on Williamson’s anticipated slasher sequel.