Trailer Wednesday: Unknown, Scream 4

What’s your favorite scary trailer? That’s right, today’s Trailer Wednesday features the first trailer for the long-awaited “Scream 4.” Wes Craven brings the old gang back and some new faces for the film franchise that reinvigorated the slasher genre. But first, were you a fan of “Taken”? Than you might be interested in the trailer for Liam Neeson’s next thriller project, “Unknown.”

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Unknown

Formerly known as “Unknown White Male,” this thriller stars Liam Neeson as Dr. Martin Harris, who ends up in a coma after a nasty car accident but wakes up to find that those he knows have no idea who he is and that someone else has possibly assumed his identity with all the identification to prove it. Harris then tries to solve the mystery.

The film is directed by Spaniard Jaume Collet-Serra (“Orphan,” “House of Wax” remake), so the suspense elements should be good, in theory. The cast includes January Jones, Diane Kruger and Frank Langella among others. I’m not expected the badass-ness of “Taken,” but … okay, I totally am. Anything less would be a disappointment unless the mystery is clever and the twist works. We’ll find out Feb. 18.

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Scream 4

In 1996, slasher films were dead. Then Wes Craven brought us “Scream,” a film that combined the genre with elements of satire aimed at the genre itself. Add in some classic “whodunit/Scooby-Doo” mystery and you have the reason horror survived into the 21st Century.

Now, Ghostface is back, and Craven and series writer Kevin Williamson have decided to take the approach of 10 years having indeed passed since Ghostface last appeared (“Scream 3” in 2000) and how the story would naturally evolve. The trailer literally has characters discussing how horror movies have changed in 10 years and (in essence) how this would change Ghostface’s motus operandi. I think it’s the right move for this film as being open about the genre has always been the mentality of the franchise.

Craven appears to want to pass the torch in this film. Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette all return, but Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin and more also join the cast. My guess is that 5 and 6 will be on the way if “Scream 4” wins over the box office on Apr. 15.