HOLLYWOOD—I’m a fan of horror movies, but in particular “Scream” has been a franchise that holds a special place in my heart. It changed the genre as we know it in 1996, not to mention it delivered one of the best sequels to date with a reveal at the end that left me and many aghast in “Scream 2.” With that said, there was a lot and I mean a lot of chaos about a year ago with the news of Melissa Barrera being fired from the upcoming “Scream 7.”
That news was literally followed a day later with star Jenna Ortega also leaving the upcoming movie and as a fan, I’m like, “Damn, ‘Scream 7’ might not happen and if it does I have no clue what it looks like. With that said, things started to look promising when it was revealed that the original star, Neve Campbell was returning for the upcoming sequel after a pay dispute and not appearing in “Scream VI.”
Yes, Sidney Prescott was coming back and it looked like she was going to be the focal point of the flick. Not to mention, original writer of “Scream” (1996), “Scream 2” and “Scream 4,” Kevin Williamson was coming back to the franchise, but this time in the director’s chair. I’ve wanted Williamson to direct a “Scream” movie since he wrote the original. I would like him to craft the seventh chapter, but he’s not, and I’m ok with that slightly.
However, the casting of the upcoming sequel is really intriguing because we know the story seems to be centered on Sidney and her family with Detective Mark Kincaid (Patrick Dempsey). Now, nothing has been confirmed on Dempsey returning to the role, but I’m hoping he does. It will feel different to see Sidney with someone else.
Now actress Isabel May has been cast to portray Sidney’s daughter, who is expected to be a teenager. Hmm, I’m seeing some semblance to the original people. There is also news that Sam Rechner, McKenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann and Anna Camp.
Courtney Cox is in talks to return as the one and only Gale Weathers returns, but it hasn’t been confirmed just yet. However, the biggest news came on Monday, December 16. Why? It was revealed a member of the ‘Core Four,” Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding) will return for “Scream 7.”
Why is this interesting? I thought “Scream 7” was done with the characters of the ‘Core Four’ from “Scream” (2022) and “Scream VI.” With Chad coming back it raises a ton of questions: is Jasmine Savoy Brown returning as Mindy Meeks-Martin, Chad’s twin sister? If so, how do they play a role in the narrative for the upcoming sequel? Sidney never interacted with the twins in the 2022 flick. They are notable because they are related to her bestie Randy (Jamie Kennedy) who was killed in “Scream 2.”
My gut is telling me Chad could be an opening kill and it would be brutal for the audience to see a character they’ve grown to know in the past 2 movies bite the dust. I remember when we thought he was killed after being attacked by two Ghostface killers in the last movie. I’m still trying to figure out even if Chad were (and this is all speculative) killed how it ties to Sidney? I don’t see that bringing her back to the forefront so I am intrigued to see how this narrative plays out with his character.
Now, if Brown also returns for the seventh installment, I feel it is almost a given Chad, Mindy or both will meet their maker in the seventh outing. Sorry, we can’t have a “Scream 7” where all our survivors live just like in “Scream VI.” It just doesn’t raise the stakes for the audience and that is no fun in the horror genre.
I’m waiting for that news of casting from Dempsey and Cox, and if Brown joins things will truly become interesting as the audience perhaps sees how Chad and Mindy have or intercept themselves into the lives of Sidney Prescott and what presumably appears to be her daughter and her pals. Fans will have to wait till February 27, 2026 before the next entry hits theaters.
