Spyglass Media and Paramount initially had plans for a new installment in the Scream franchise, Scream 7, featuring the leads from Scream (2022) and Scream VI, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. Christopher Landon, known for directing Freaky and Happy Death Day, was set to helm the project. However, complications arose when Ortega reportedly requested a significant pay increase—a situation reminiscent of Neve Campbell’s departure from Scream VI over a pay dispute. Following this, Barrera was dismissed from the project due to controversial remarks regarding the Israel-Hamas war that did not sit well with executives. Shortly after, Landon exited as well.
The film has since undergone a significant re-development. Neve Campbell is confirmed to reprise her iconic role as Sidney Prescott, leading the cast. Kevin Williamson, the writer of the original Scream, is directing the new film, which is based on a screenplay by Guy Busick, who co-wrote the stories for Scream (2022) and Scream VI along with James Vanderbilt, who is also a producer on the sequels.
Under the original vision, Skeet Ulrich, who portrayed Billy Loomis, was expected to return. Ulrich hinted in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that Barrera’s character, Sam, might have been revealed as the killer in this installment. He elaborated on a planned three-picture arc for his character to gradually influence his daughter into becoming the murderer, mentioning, “Obviously, those things didn’t pan out, given certain things that happened.”
While Barrera had once expressed her excitement at the prospect of her character turning into Ghostface, it now appears that her character’s journey concluded positively with her rejecting her father’s legacy at the end of Scream VI, symbolically casting aside his mask.
The cast for Scream 7 also includes Isabel May, who will portray Sidney’s daughter Tatum, alongside Mckenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Sam Rechner, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos, Courteney Cox returning as Gale Weathers, Joel McHale, and Ethan Embray. Although two of the beloved “core four” characters from the previous films will not be returning, Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown will reprise their roles as Chad Meeks-Martin and Mindy Meeks-Martin.
Fans can also anticipate special appearances from Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley, both of whom portrayed Ghostface in previous entries, as well as the return of David Arquette’s Dewey, who met his fate in the fifth movie.
Scream 7 is set to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, and as the franchise evolves, it promises a fresh yet familiar ambiance for both new and longtime fans. The development of the film, especially with the return of Campbell, is generating considerable excitement, providing hope for a thrilling continuation of the beloved series.