Despite a slew of controversy over the past couple of years, the Scream franchise is moving forward with its seventh installment. The previous film left the Core Four and Gale Weathers (we assume, considering she didn’t die) in a relatively good place, with Sam finally moving towards healing and peace after killing Richie’s remaining family. (It’s wild but true.) Now, this next film is going back to the original with Neve Campbell returning as Sidney Prescott as the main character.
In a bit of wild casting news, David Arquette’s Deputy Dewey Riley will be returning in Scream 7. What?! We all witnessed Dewey’s incredibly emotional death in Scream (2022)Opens in a new tab. And we’re not so sure we want this movie to undo it. After all, what is a franchise if it has no stakes? Still, Scream does have a history of shenanigans. So we’ll have to wait and see how exactly Dewey makes his grand return. Dewey, of course, is married to Gale Weathers, played by Courteney Cox, who will also appear in the movie.
In addition to Arquette’s’ Dewey, Matthew Lillard AND Scott Foley will return to the franchiseOpens in a new tab in Scream 7. Yes, the guy who played Roman Bridger, a Ghostface who died back in Scream 3, and Stu Macher, who died in the original Scream movie nearly 30 years ago, are going to be in this new film. Dewey absolutely shot Roman in the head, so there’s no way that character is still alive. We also saw Sidney knock a TV onto Stu’s head and BBQ his brain so, despite ongoing fan theories that he is still alive, he seemed pretty dead to us.
We can assume they will all appear perhaps in some flashbacks or perhaps in a video like Randy Meeks did in Scream 3. One thing we don’t hope happens is more Ghost of Ghostfaces Past foolery, like the previous two films did with Billy. Please don’t do that again.
It seems a bit weird to announce their return instead of allowing it to be a shock for fans. But, surprises are hard to hold onto in a world where people are constantly taking videos and photos of people trying to film a movie in peace.
The next film will be interesting, to say the least. Who will don that infamous mask next? Here’s what we know about Scream 7.
Title
This film is indeed called Scream 7, which could be stylized as Scream VII.
Scream 7’s Plot
As stated above, Sam and Tara’s story came to a neat conclusion in Scream VI. And Sidney is living a happy life with her husband Mark and her daughters. It seems like there was no one else hiding in the shadows who would want to kill Sidney. Her story was complete and she found peace. So, the plot of Scream 7 is really up in the air. Depending on this film’s release, someone from 30 years ago could decide to celebrate the events of Scream (1996) in a sinister way. We shall see.
Neve Campbell says she expects to get the final script sometime in August, so hopefully nothing will leak before they are ready to tell.
Behind-the-Scenes
Kevin Williamson, the writer of Scream (1996), will direct Scream 7Opens in a new tab. He is replacing Christopher Landon, who left the film after Melissa Barerra’s controversial (and very upsetting) firingOpens in a new tab and Jenna Ortega’s exit. Guy Busick and James Vanderbilt, who wrote the last two installments, will pen this sequel. The Radio Silence team will step back from directing duties to executive produce Scream 7.
In an IndieWireOpens in a new tab interview, Campbell confirmed that filming will start in December 2024.
“We were supposed to start in September, but we’re going to start in December now because of some scheduling stuff with Kevin and myself and having that all aligned,” she shared. “And actually, I think it’s a good thing, because we’re going to be able to have the time to get it really right. So I’m very excited about it.”
It seems that filming is relatively on schedule. In early January, director Kevin Williamson posted an IG photo raving about having a good time on set with the cast and crew. The clapperboard said that it was day one of filming.
Scream 7’s Cast
Right now, we know that Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Mason Gooding are returning from the previous film. The latter two are interesting considering Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin’s stories are closely tied to the Carpenter sisters, neither of whom will be in Scream 7. We don’t know if they will just make a quick cameo or if their stories will tie closely into Sidney’s in some fashion. We assume Roger L. Jackson will return as the voice of Ghostface.
Deadline Opens in a new tabreports that Scream 7 added Joel McHale to its cast as Sidney’s husband Mark, which means that she is not married to Patrick Dempsey’s Mark Kincaid from Scream 3. Most fans assumed that when she referred to Mark, she meant that character. They did seem to have some flirtation and were last seen hanging out at her house with Dewey (RIP) and Gale. Welp.
When asked if he might return as Mark Kincaid, Patrick Dempsey previously said it was possible. Dempsey notedOpens in a new tab of reprising his role in Scream 7, “I’m waiting on the script, “There has been a conversation about it. I haven’t seen anything yet, so we’ll see what happens. … It’s always good to have a job.”
Unless this story involves Hollywood in some way, there’s no reason for Mark Kincaid to return.
We do know that at least one of Sidney’s kids is making an appearance. DeadlineOpens in a new tab reports that Isabel May (1883) will portray Sidney’s currently unnamed daughter in Scream 7. It is not clear if she will be a main target like her mom was back in 1996. Considering the film releases in February 2026, it is possible that someone wants to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original killings by targeting Sid’s kid. She would be at least 14 years old by that time, according to the universe’s timeline.
Deadline reports that Asa Germann, who is currently known for his role as Gen V‘s Sam Riordan, will join the cast of Scream 7 in some unknown role. Maybe he will be one of the next killers. We certainly know he’s not above taking someone out onscreen. In December, Deadline also reportedOpens in a new tab genre staple McKenna Grace has joined the cast in an undisclosed role. Possibly another Sidney kid, or just fodder for Ghostface.
Mark Consuelos will also be in Scream 7 in some undisclosed role. Many may know him from Riverdale, where he played Hiram Lodge, or their moms perhaps watch him now on Live With Kelly & Mark.
Scream 7 Release Date
Scream 7 will arrive in theaters on February 27, 2026. The cast and crew shared the release date on social media.
Originally published on March 13, 2024.
