The Scream franchise is back – and this time, it’s messier than ever. After the success of Scream VI in 2023, fans are eager to see what’s next for Ghostface. But with behind-the-scenes drama and some surprising cast changes, Scream 7 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable entries yet.
Latest news: Arquette returns from the dead
Production for Scream 7 is in full swing, with the film expected to drop in early 2026. The latest twist? David Arquette is set to reprise his role as Dewey – despite being killed off in Scream (2022).
Arquette’s return marks the third time a supposedly dead character has been brought back for the sequel. How Dewey will make his comeback remains under wraps, but it’s already sparking wild fan theories.
Release date: when can you expect to see Ghostface again?
Despite all the chaos behind the scenes, Scream 7 is still on track. Filming is set to begin in early 2025, and the release date is locked in for Friday, 27 February 2026.
Given the long gap between filming and release, there’s little doubt the movie will be ready in time. Whether the story holds together after the cast shake-ups is another question.
Cast shake-ups: who’s in and who’s out?
Neve Campbell is back as Sidney Prescott after resolving her pay dispute – a win for long-time fans. Courteney Cox will also return as Gale Weathers, but Patrick Dempsey won’t be back as Detective Mark Kincaid. Instead, Joel McHale will play Sidney’s husband, Mark Evans, finally clearing up years of fan speculation.
Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) and Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) are out. Ortega left due to scheduling conflicts, while Barrera was fired over controversial comments about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Meanwhile, the “Core Four” is holding steady. Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy) and Mason Gooding (Chad) are both confirmed to return. Celeste O’Connor has also joined the cast in a yet-to-be-revealed role.
In a major shock, Matthew Lillard is back as Stu Macher – the original Ghostface from Scream (1996). Scott Foley (who played Ghostface killer Roman Bridger in Scream 3) has also joined in a mysterious role.
Confirmed cast for Scream 7:
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Neve Campbell | Sidney Prescott |
| Courteney Cox | Gale Weathers |
| Matthew Lillard | Stu Macher |
| David Arquette | Dewey |
| Mason Gooding | Chad |
| Jasmin Savoy Brown | Mindy |
| Joel McHale | Mark Evans |
| Isabel May | Sidney’s daughter |
| Celeste O’Connor | Unknown |
| McKenna Grace | Unknown |
| Sam Rechner | Unknown |
| Asa Germann | Unknown |
| Anna Camp | Unknown |
| Scott Foley | Unknown |
Story details: where can the franchise go next?
Plot details are still under wraps, but the departures of Ortega and Barrera mean Scream 7 will likely focus on Sidney Prescott’s story.
With Stu Macher back in the mix, many fans are wondering if he could take up the Ghostface mantle once again. After all, Scream VI teased the fan theory that Stu never actually died.
The big question is how Scream 7 will play with its signature meta-commentary. Every Scream film has deconstructed a different horror trope – from sequels to reboots and legacy sequels. Finding fresh ground might be tricky, but with this chaotic cast and storyline, anything’s possible.
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