Emma Roberts joins Courteney Cox, Neve Campbell and David Arquette in Wes Craven’s Scream 4

The Weinstein Company announced today that Emma Roberts (Valentine’s Day, Nancy Drew, Hotel For Dogs and the upcoming It’s Kind of a Funny Story) has been cast as “Jill,” one of the heroines in Dimension Films’ Scream 4, the next chapter in the Scream franchise. Scream 4 hits theaters on April 15, 2011, with shooting scheduled to start this June in Michigan.

Roberts joins original Scream cast members also starring in Scream 4, Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Courteney Cox Arquette, which will be produced and directed by Wes Craven, and penned by Kevin Williamson. Iya Labunka is also producing the project.

“I am so excited to be part of this ground-breaking franchise,” said Roberts. “As a huge fan of the previous films, I jumped at the opportunity to work with the original Scream team of Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to do something completely different than I’ve ever done before. With Bob Weinstein and Dimension, and the return of original cast members Neve, Courteney and David, I have no doubt Scream 4 will live up to fan expectations.”

Producer and director Wes Craven added, “I’m absolutely delighted that Emma will be joining the cast of Scream 4. Her talent, beauty and range will add immensely to the sophistication, intensity and fun of the Scream franchise as it returns to the screen once more.”

The Twilight Saga’s Ashley Greene, Heroes’ Hayden Panettiere, Lake Bell and Rory Culkin are also rumored to have roles in Scream 4.