15 things you (probably) didn't know about Scream 2

Given the amount of sequel ridicule that pervaded throughout Scream 2, there was a lot of pressure for the film to be better than the films it was poking fun at. Luckily, the combined force of original director Wes Craven and writer Kevin Williamson meant that it was another fresh. funny and frightening slasher movie.

Since its release in 1997, horror sequels have been mainly underwhelming so we're taking a moment, or rather 15 short ones, to tell you about some Scream 2 facts that you may not be aware of...

(Images: Rex Features, All Star, YouTube)

1

After various problems with the MPAA on Scream, Wes Craven deliebrately put together a more extreme version of Scream 2 together, featuring an extended scene of Randy's death, so that when they watched the actual version, it would seem less gory. Despite this, the more violent cut was passed and given an R anyway.

2

Excerpts from the Hans Zimmer score for John Travolta action flick Broken Arrow were used in test screenings yet the audience reaction was so positive that they actually remained in the final film.

3

At the time, Scream 2 had the record for the biggest December opening weekend with $33m. The record was beaten by What Women Want in 2000.

4

The girl who Cici, Sarah Michelle Gellar's doomed sorority girl, calls before her death is none other than...Selma Blair. The two then co-starred in Cruel Intentions two years later.

5

Sidney's roommate Hallie was originally supposed to be one of the killers, alongside Derek who she was in a secret relationship with. This was changed after the script was leaked online.

6

During production, there was more than just the Cox/Arquette romance going on behind the scenes. Jerry O'Connell and Sarah Michelle Gellar were also dating.

7

The girl who hands the masks to Maureen and Phil in the first scene won the chance to cameo in an MTV contest. Paulette Patterson has since, ermmm, played a paramedic on both True Blood and Enlightened. The usher outside is actually Neve Campbell's stunt double.

8

Matthew Lillard, who died quite spectacularly in Scream, makes a very small appearance in a sorority party scene after he visited the set.

9

Alicia Silverstone was offered the role of Cici Cooper but turned it down. Sarah Michelle Gellar ultimately took the role instead.

10

Kevin Williamson originally wanted to call it Scary Sequel but after the original's title was changed from Scary Movie to Scream, he changed it to The Sequel to Scream. Yet producers finally decided to go with Scream 2'. Obviously.

11

The movie-within-a-movie Stab was apparently directed by Robert Rodriguez but rumours persist that legal reasons meant that they had to be re-filmed by Wes Craven.

12

Eric Mabius, who later gained fame in Ugly Betty, auditioned for the role of Derek, which ultimately went to Jerry O'Connell.

13

Shortly after the first film was released, someone bought up the URL Scream2.com and refused to sell it to Dimension Films because he wasn't even a fan of the franchise.

14

Due to the increased level for secrecy after the initial script was leaked, cast members were kept in the dark over the identity of the killer/s. The cast even took bets and at the end, David Arquette won.

15

Following up his cameo as the janitor in Scream, Wes Craven crops up as a doctor in the hospital after Sidney is attacked. His girlfriend appears in the scene after Cici's murder, standing next to Officer Hartley.