Wes Craven’s specific motivation for filmmaking was revealed by Scream star Jamie Kennedy

Last Updated on September 29, 2023

One name that is unquestionably synonymous with horror movies is Wes Craven. Mr. Craven is responsible for several game-changing films in the genre. His early career provided raw, grindhouse-esque classics like The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes. He skyrocketed into pop culture with fantasy horror like A Nightmare on Elm Street, then revitalized the genre in a waning era with the meta-slasher satire Scream.

Actor Jamie Kennedy recently appeared on the Inside of You podcast that’s hosted by Smallville‘s Michael Rosenbaum. Kennedy had played the iconic horror obsessive, Randy, in both Scream and Scream 2, which Wes helmed. According to ScreenRant, the Son of the Mask star would talk about how he discovered a specific method that Craven kept himself motivated in filmmaking.

“His place was like this, where he would have memorabilia from all his different movies. Next to his bed was this little frame of something. I said, ‘What is that?’ He said, ‘That’s my hack license.’ And a hack license is a license to drive a cab in New York City, and it said Wes Craven, LAC Cab, 1971 to 1972.

“I said ‘Why do you keep that next to your bed?’ And he says ‘Because when I get up every morning I look at it, and I say to myself this is something I never want to go back to.’ And the fear that he would have to drive a cab again fueled him to make movies… The fear of that license put the fear in him, and he scared us.”

The Scream movies became a pop culture sensation and Wes found great success directing the first four films in the series. It became a TV series, made for MTV, then after Craven’s passing, the franchise was given a soft-reboot with the fifth entry simply titled Scream in 2022. The fifth Scream and the follow-up Scream VI were hits and director Christopher Landon is set to pick up the reins with Scream 7. Landon showed his appreciation to the fans for welcoming him to the series with his social media post, “Just a big, heart-felt thanks to all the #scream fans for welcoming me into the fold. Horror has been my passion all my life. I promise to do Wes,Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin proud. And of course, a massive shout out to my friend and hero Kevin Williamson. Let’s go!!!!“