It's hard to overstate just how important the original Scream was for horror films. In 1996, slasher films had gone out of style until this clever new take revitalized the genre thanks to its meta-commentary and its very memorable masked killer who became known as Ghostface.
However, credit must also be given to the talented cast who perfectly played the targeted teens who seem to understand that they are in a slasher movie. As great as the performances are, if the film were to be cast today, there are plenty of talented actors who could fill those famous roles nicely and do the film justice.
Casey Becker: Elle Fanning
The death of Casey Becker in the opening scene of Scream not only started the film off in a shocking way, but it remains an iconic moment in horror movie history. The fact that she was played by Drew Barrymore, an established and popular actor, made it all the more shocking.
In order to have that same impact, a modern take on Scream would need another famous face. Elle Fanning is a hugely talented actor who has a natural charm to her. Seeing her terrorized and murdered would really grab the audience's attention right from the start.
Principal Arthur Himbry: Jason Alexander
There aren't too many adult characters in the first film, with most of the action centered around the teens. But one notable role is the high school principal, played by the great Henry Winkler. He is an intense disciplinarian who is brutally killed by Ghostface.
With Henry Winkler best known for his iconic role in Happy Days at the time, it seems like another sitcom legend would be well-suited as the principal. Jason Alexander is best known as George Costanza on Seinfeld so it could be fun seeing him pop up as a slasher victim.
Tatum Riley: Kiernan Shipka
Rose McGowan had her breakout role as Tatum Riley, Sidney Prescott's loyal BFF and the girlfriend of Stu. She is a great best friend who never takes the serial killer thing too seriously. That is, until she is killed after Ghostface crushes her with the garage door.
Tatum's tough persona could be captured well by Kiernan Shipka. After years of playing Sally Draper on Mad Men, Shipka headlined her own show with Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She would be great at the skeptical and supportive best friend role.
Randy: Skyler Gisondo
Randy is one of the most popular characters in the Scream franchise and a very important one in the first film. he is a movie buff who breaks down the "rules" of horror movies, which sets up a lot of the fun meta-humor of the film. He is played memorably by Jamie Kennedy in the original.
Skyler Gisondo has shown he can play those excitable nerdy types to perfection. He has played similar characters in Booksmart and underrated horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet.
Stu: Jack Quaid
Matthew Lillard's performance in Scream is something of a debate among fans. Some feel that he went way too over-the-top playing Stu, one of Sidney's friends who turns out to be one of the killers. However, others feel that his unhinged performance made the climax of the film all the more memorable.
In The Boys, Jack Quaid plays a mild-mannered guy inserted into a crazy world, so it would be interesting to see him really go off-the-wall as Stu.
Billy Loomis: Joe Keery
Billy Loomis is a character that was used quite well in the first film. As Sidney's boyfriend, he becomes a prime suspect for the killings. But the movie makes him seem so obviously guilty that the audience becomes convinced they are being tricked. So it's a good twist when he does end up being the killer all along.
In Stranger Things, Joe Keery played Steve, the boyfriend character who looked like he would become a jerk but ended up being the hero. Seeing him reverse that role and get to play an all-out villain would be a lot of fun.
Phone Voice: Bill Hader
Though he is never seen on screen, Roger Jackson was an essential part of the original film as he provided the phone voice for Ghostface. Those eerie phone calls are such a memorable part of these movies and Jackson's voice was perfectly suited.
Bill Hader might seem like a strange choice to play an unseen voice, but his voice acting talents prove why he would be so good. He has a tone that can seem normal and friendly before switching to threatening in the blink of an eye.
Gale Weathers: Awkwafina
Just as Friends was becoming one of the biggest series of television, Courteney Cox delivered a great performance as Gale Weathers in Scream. Gale is the tenacious reporter who is willing to push over anyone to get the story of the murders.
The right actor to capture Gale's selfish and meanspirited nature while still making her funny and likable is Awkwafina. She can pull off the role of a tough reporter and still come off as someone the audience cheers for.
Deputy Dewey: Michael Cera
Deputy Dewey is another fan-favorite character from the franchise. Played by David Arquette, Dewey is the brother of Tatum and the young cop looking into the case of the murders in his small town. Though he is brave, he is also a bit bumbling, which makes him all the more endearing.
Michael Cera is an actor who can really pull off that awkward charming sensibility very well. It would be a lot of fun seeing him step into the hero role while still playing to his strengths.
Sidney Prescott: Zendaya
The real hero of the original Scream and the entire franchise up to this point is Sidney Prescott. Playing wonderfully by Neve Campbell, Sidney is a strong and resilient teenager who struggles with past tragedies yet still fights against the killer, making for a badass "final girl".
Fresh off an Emmy win, Zendaya is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young talents in Hollywood, and it would be a lot of fun seeing her in a role like this. She could certainly handle the more dramatic aspects of the character as well as make for a thrilling hero in the final act.