Julia Roberts' niece is the new lead of SCREAM 4!

By Matt Holmes /

EW report that 19 year old Emma Roberts has been cast as the new lead of Scream 4. She will play Jill, the cousin of Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott when filming begins at the end of the month. 23 year old TwilighterAshley Greene was in talks as recently as late last week for the part but something must have went sour somewhere and it led to Roberts eventually getting the nod. Unsurprisingly given the genes (she is the daughter of Eric Roberts and the niece of Julia Roberts - the latter with whom she shares a undeniable physical resemblance with), Roberts has impressed me in the few roles I've seen her in. She has that awareness of self and how to move for the camera that goes beyond her teenage years. Don't be fooled by her CV (Hotel for Dogs, Valentine's Day, Nancy Drew, Wild Child), she has that certain something, that special watchable ingredient that few acquire at her age. Scream 4 so far - Craven, Williamson, Neve Campbell, Courtney & David Arquette reunite, alongside newcomers Emma Roberts (the new lead, and cousin to Sidney), Rory Culkin (her boyfriend), Hayden Pantierre (best friend & film nerd) and Lake Bell (a cop who knows Sidney from way back).

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