We recently shared the news that reports online had started to break out that the latest Scream 6 poster from Paramount seemed “similar”, according to users online, to a design released recently by Gil Marcel.
In summary, the latest poster for Scream 6 is a subway map of New York in the shape of Ghostface’s mask, the iconic slasher from the Scream franchise.
Fans of Marcel’s artwork quickly took to the internet to point out that Marcel had shared a “similar” concept a month prior to the new poster being released by the studio.
Gil Marcel’s Response
Well, we managed to get a hold of Gil Marcel not long after the news broke out, and we got to ask him a series of questions in regard to the whole situation.
Declaration
We would just like to point out that during our conversation with Gil Marcel, he repeatedly reminded us that he is not by any means accusing Paramount Pictures of plagiarism, and neither are we. He is simply just sharing his thoughts on how fans are comparing the two concepts, and on how he feels about the comparison plus the online comments.
Discussion on when his original concept began.
We first asked Gil Marcel when he originally started the idea behind his version of the concept, to which he responded “I started it last November, and it took me about 40 hours to come up with the design.”.
Marcel’s original design was posted on the 3rd of December, but he confirms that he had spent around 40 hours just coming up with the concept itself, and started the official development of the design in November.
On if he had spoken to any of the ‘Scream 6’ team.
“I haven’t received any messages so far. When I published the art, I sent a link for their appreciation.”, this is what Gil Marcel had to say when we asked him if he had spoken to anybody prior to the new poster being released.
He also said “I sent [my design] to everyone, on Instagram, basically: Paramount, Paramount Brazil, ScreamMovies account, Project X, directors and cast.” when we asked him who he had sent communications, specifically.
How he felt when he saw the new poster’s design.
“I’m not saying here that there was (or that there wasn’t) plagiarism, it’s just a matter of verifying how much the two pieces are similar in several levels and aspects” was Marcel’s take on the similar concepts. Confirming that he is just simply intrigued at how the two concepts are similar, and how he is not accusing anyone of plagiarism.
However, he continued by saying “which rules out the possibility of saying that it would just be a mere coincidence or a curious case of random creative choices during a marketing campaign.”.
He also wanted to emphasise that he by no means wants the two pieces of artwork compared in the level of quality, but does believe, even while seeing the official design, that he is still satisfied with his own artwork.
“Also, at no time do I question the quality of the work of the professional responsible for the published art. It’s not a question of which design is better. Even so, I can confidently say that, comparatively, I am satisfied with the result of the art I created.”
How he would feel if his artwork has truly been “stolen”?
Marcel responded, “as a fan, I love that my work is shared, and I remain excited about the campaign for the sixth film – but, as a professional, I am deeply [hypothetically] disappointed with what happened.”.
What Fans Are Saying Online
You can follow Gil Marcel here on Instagram and also see the original post, we did reach out to Paramount Pictures but have yet to receive a response.
Update From Gil Marcel, 2nd January 19:09 (GMT)
Scream 6 comes out in cinemas on the 10th of March, 2023.
