Summary
TheScream 7cast has added a new member. This newcomer will star opposite Neve Campbell in a role with significant ties to Campbell’s Sidney Prescott.
Scream 7was officially announced months after the horror franchise’s sixth installment debuted to critical and box office success. Director Christopher Landon was tapped to take over directorial duties from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who revived theScreamfranchise when they helmed the fifth and sixth films. The intent was to bring back Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega as the heroines of the fifth and sixth films, sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter. However,Scream 7lost Barrera and Ortegawhen the former was fired over social media posts in support of Palestine that producers viewed as antisemitic. Ortega exited the next day reportedly due to scheduling conflicts and salary disputes.
The franchise responded to these creative misfortunes bybringing back Campbell as Sidney Prescott forScream 7, who declined to return for the sixth installment due to salary disputes. In November 2024,Daniel Richtmanreported thatYellowstonefranchise starIsabel May will join Campbell as a new heroine, likely Sidney Prescott’s daughter. The trades confirmed Richtman’s report, withDeadlinereporting that May’s deal to play Sidney Prescott’s daughter is locked.
May is arguably best known for her co-lead role as the awkward Katie Cooper in the Netflix sitcomAlexa & Katie. She also played the series regular role of Elsa Dutton in theYellowstoneprequel series1883and its follow-up1923. DC fans may remember thatMay was cast in theWonder Twinsmoviealongside Riverdale’s KJ Apa until Warner Bros. canceled the HBO Max movie because they felt the project was “too niche” and wanted all DC films to be made with a “theatrical-first goal.”
Campbell isn’t the onlyScreamveteran returning for the 7th film.Scream 7will be directed by Kevin Williamson, who launched the franchise by writing the first and second films directed by Wes Craven. Williamson couldn’t complete a full script for Craven’sScream 3and his notes were largely discarded by his replacement, but he returned to penScream 4over 10 years later in 2011.Scream 5and6were penned by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick (who return forScream 7) with Williamson serving as an executive producer.
Of course,Scream 7may have to win back some fans. Not everyone agreed withthe decision to fire Barrera fromScream 7, arguing it was political censorship and that her comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict were mischaracterized. Some fans called on others to boycottScream 7over Barrera’s exit, and Campbell’s return to the franchise may not be enough to entice them back. On the other hand, there are undoubtedly fans who are unphased by these behind-the-scene decisions and are eager to see what theScreamfranchise has next. What impact these creative changes will have onScream 7’s box office haul remains to be seen.
Scream 7is scheuled to be released in theaters onFebruary 27, 2026.
Scream 7
Scream 7: Released in 2026, Scream 7 continues the legacy of the iconic horror franchise, delving deeper into the chilling narrative established in previous installments. As the seventh film, it aims to expand and explore new facets of the series’ themes while maintaining its signature suspense and intrigue.
