I'm So Excited Scream 7 Is Casting Both New And Legacy Stars, But I Have Questions About How It'll Work

Ghostface in Scream VI
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

The Scream 7 cast is looking to be one of the most exciting, albeit a bit head-scratching, movie ensembles in years. Not only is the upcoming horror movie employing fresh blood for Ghostface (which is no different from the previous Scream movies) but it is also bringing back veterans of the classic horror movie franchise that no one could have predicted would come back... and one whom many have suspected would return for years.

I have a few questions regarding how the insane casting news about the latest sequel to one of the greatest horror movies of all time may affect the story. However, let’s first briefly go over what else we do know about Scream 7 so far.

Quick Facts About Scream 7

Ghostface in Scream VI

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Fans of the Scream franchise should be really excited about who is at the helm this time. Find out who’s directing and more about Scream 7 in this rundown of facts:

  • Scream 7 is set to stalk theaters on February 27, 2026
  • Original Scream scribe Kevin Williamson is directing
  • Guy Busick penned Scream 7
  • Radio Silence (including Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who helmed 2022’s Scream and 2023’s Scream VI, and producer Chad Villella) return as executive producers

The Scream 7 Cast

Sidney (Neve Campbell) and Gale (Courteney Cox) in Scream

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

There is much to be excited about regarding the Scream 7 cast, especially the return of one iconic Scream Queen whose particularly important character was noticeably absent from the last installment. Let’s discuss her and the rest of the line-up of potential victims and killers behind the Ghostface mask below.

Neve Campbell (Sidney Prescott)

Neve Campbell in Scream 2022

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

After feeling her offered salary did not equate to “the value [she brings] to this franchise,” Neve Campbell dropped out of Scream VI. Thankfully, she is coming back in Scream 7 as the Final Girl who started it all, Sidney Prescott, which she confirmed with an Instagram photo of the sequel's script.

Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers)

Courteney Cox in Scream VI

(Image credit: Paramount Pictues)

After Courteney Cox previously teased there would be more of Gale Weathers in Scream 7 at the Inc. 5000 Conference in October 2024 (via Us Weekly), Variety exclusively confirmed that the Friends cast member will reprise her role as the reporter who nearly succumbed to Ghostface’s knife in the last film.

Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin)

Mason Gooding in Scream

(Image credit: Paramount)

Also exclusively reported by Variety, Mason Gooding’s Chad is set to return in Scream 7. The son of Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. has starred in additional horror films like 2022’s Fall, the new A24 movie, Y2K, and Heart Eyes, which came out in early February 2025.

Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin)

Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy in Scream VI

(Image credit: Paramount)

At least two members of the “Core Four” are confirmed to appear in Scream 7. As exclusively reported by Variety, Yellowjackets star Jasmin Savoy Brown will reprise her role as Chad’s sister, Mindy.

Isabel May (Sidney’s Daughter)

Elsa Dutton in blue dress on 1883

(Image credit: Paramount+)

As confirmed by Deadline, Isabel May, known as Elsa Dutton from Yellowstone prequels 1883 and 1923, is playing Sidney's unnamed daughter.

Anna Camp

Anna Camp darting a furious look in front a stain glass window in Hysteria!

(Image credit: Peacock)

After Deadline reported that Anna Camp is joining the Scream 7 cast, the Pitch Perfect cast member personally confirmed the news with an Instagram post in which she recalls her first movie date was to the 1996 original.

Celeste O’Connor

Celeste O’Connor in Madame Web

(Image credit: Sony / Marvel)

Following her supporting role in the 2020 horror-comedy movie Freaky, Celeste O’Connor (also from 2024’s Madame Web) is entering a more grounded corner of the slasher genre with an unknown role in Scream 7, as Deadline reported in early December 2024.

Asa Germann

Asa Germann under dim light on Gen V

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon’s Gen V star Asa Germann is following in the footsteps of fellow The Boys universe actor Jack Quaid by joining the Scream franchise, according to Deadline. Whether or not he will also turn out to be the next Ghostface (or one of them) has yet to be revealed.

McKenna Grace

Mckenna Grace in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

Celeste O’Connor’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire co-star McKenna Grace will reunite with her in the Scream 7 cast. Deadline’s report did not provide any details regarding who the Emmy nominee (for her guest role on The Handmaid’s Tale) may play.

Sam Rechner

Sam Rechner in a suit looking angry in The Fabelmans

(Image credit: Universal)

Also from Deadline comes the news that Sam Rechner will appear in Scream 7. He is best known for playing a bully in Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical drama, The Fabelmans.

Matthew Lillard (Stu Macher)

Stu holding a gun and smiling in Scream.

(Image credit: Dimension Films)

For years, people have theorized that Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher somehow survived in the 1996 original (as hinted in Scream VI), including the actor himself, who believes that Stu is “definitely alive” and told Fandom that if he was in the next movie, he "would lie direct to your face” about it. Well, it looks like he was lying, because Lillard’s role in Scream 7 has been announced. However, Deadline’s report does not confirm if the original co-Ghostface is returning in the flesh or as a hallucination, a la Billy Loomis in the last two installments.

Scott Foley (Roman Bridger)

Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) in Scream 3

(Image credit: Dimension Films)

Stu Macher is not the only former Ghostface killer being resurrected. Deadline also reported that Scott Foley has joined the cast as Roman Bridger – a filmmaker who was revealed to be Sidney Prescott’s vengeful half-brother and the orchestrator of the previous murders in Scream 3.

Joel McHale (Mark Evans)

Close-up of Jeff Winger's suspicious face in Community Season 6

(Image credit: peacock)

Fans theorized that an Easter Egg from 2022’s Scream hinted that Sidney was married to Patrick Dempsey’s Scream 3 character, Det. Mark Kincaid, whom Neve Campbell suggested could be involved in Scream 7. Well, it turns out that Sidney was referring to a different “Mark” in the fifth installment because, according to Deadline, Community’s Joel McHale – who has starred in recent horror movies like Becky and It’s a Wonderful Knife – is starring in the film as Sidney’s husband, Mark Evans.

Mark Consuelos

Mark Consuelos on All My Children

(Image credit: ABC)

Another “Mark” joining in on the fun is Mark Consuelos, who is returning to the horror genre for the first time since he recurred on American Horror Story Season 2. There are no details in Deadline’s report about the character being played by the All My Children star, but his wife, Kelly Ripa, tried and failed to squeeze some information out of him on their syndicated daytime talk show, Live with Kelly & Mark.

Ethan Embry

Ethan Embry wearing a beanie in Cheap Thrills

(Image credit: New Artists Alliance)

In February, Deadline confirmed that Ethan Embry is joining the cast in an undisclosed role. While the actor is a newcomer to the franchise, he is no stranger to the horror genre – having appeared in the likes of Vacancy, The Guest, and Cheap Thrills – and beloved ‘90s movies like Can’t Hardly Wait and That Thing You Do!

Questions I Have About Scream 7

Ghostface from Scream

(Image credit: Dimension)

For every reason I have to be totally jazzed about the confirmed members of the Scream 7 cast so far, I have even more reasons to be curious as to how some actors and their roles will fit into the mysterious plot.

Is Sidney Prescott The Central Focus Again?

Neve Campbell on the phone in Scream 4

(Image credit: Dimension Films.)

When Radio Silence revived the beloved horror movie franchise with their 2022 “requel,” Scream, Sidney was involved but the main focus was the young newcomers, especially Melissa Barrera as Samantha Carpenter. As Neve Campbell’s return in Scream 7 is a much-celebrated occasion, I wonder if the sequel will make up for her absence in the previous installment by having her take the lead once again. The fact that franchise creator Kevin Williamson is running the show this time gives me reason to believe this could be true.

How Will The Story Justify Chad And Mindy’s Return With Sam And Tara’s Absence?

Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding in Scream VI.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

I am happy to see that two of the most charismatic members of the new “Core Four” are back, with Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown reprising Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin. However, because said foursome was hyped up as an unbreakable dynamic, it feels weird to see only one half of that gang returning without Sam and Tara (Jenna Ortega).

How Will The Story Explain Sam And Tara’s Absence?

Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega during Scream VI's bodega sequence.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Speaking of Sam and Tara, let’s get into that mess. In November 2023, Variety reported that Melissa Barrera was fired by Spyglass for comments criticizing seemingly one-sided coverage of the Israeli-Hamas war and, the following day, Deadline reported that Jenna Ortega was not expected to come back either. The idea of Scream 7 without this sisterly duo – the unquestionable anchors of the Core Four – is heartbreaking, even with Neve Campbell’s return, and I genuinely challenge the filmmakers to give us a reason for the characters’ exit that is both logical and satisfying.

What’s Up With Anna Camp’s Character?

Anna Camp in From Black

(Image credit: Shudder)

Seeing as Anna Camp has become a more prevalent and welcome presence in horror with roles in Shudder’s From Black and Peacock’s horror-comedy series Hysteria!, it is great to hear she will be in Scream 7. Yet, that being said, I cannot help but wonder what her role will be and how it will be involved. Could she be related to one of the other new characters, or could she be retconned as a never-before-seen old friend of Sidney? While the latter could make things interesting, I would much prefer the former.

How To Watch The Scream Movies So Far

Jamie Kennedy in Scream

(Image credit: Dimension)

It would be best to catch yourself up on the ongoing story of this long-running, classic horror franchise before you see Scream 7. Luckily, it looks like you will have plenty of time.

The first four installments are among the best horror movies on Max and Radio Silence’s “requels” are both available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription. However, 2022’s Scream is also one of the best horror movies on Netflix at the moment.

How to watch the Scream movies

The story is far from over, so be sure to follow the rules and keep your eyes peeled for more updates on Scream 7.

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Jason Wiese
Content Writer

Jason Wiese writes feature stories for CinemaBlend. His occupation results from years dreaming of a filmmaking career, settling on a "professional film fan" career, studying journalism at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO (where he served as Culture Editor for its student-run print and online publications), and a brief stint of reviewing movies for fun. He would later continue that side-hustle of film criticism on TikTok (@wiesewisdom), where he posts videos on a semi-weekly basis. Look for his name in almost any article about Batman.

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