With six previous movies, the franchise has gone on to gross over $900 million at the box office. The latest installment, ‘Scream 7‘, once again stars Campbell and Cox, and opens in theaters on February 27th.
In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down every ‘Scream’ movie ever made from worst to best, including the latest.
(L to R) Parker Posey and Courteney Cox Arquette in ‘Scream 3’. Photo: Dimension Films.
As bodies begin dropping around the Hollywood set of STAB 3, the third film based on the gruesome Woodsboro killings, Sidney (Neve Campbell) and other survivors are once again terrorized by another Ghostface killer.
Hayden Panettiere in ‘Scream 4’. Photo: Dimension Films.
Ten years after the original Woodsboro murders, one of the survivors returns home to promote their new book about surviving trauma, only for a new Ghostface killer to emerge, targeting a new group of teens.
Courteney Cox stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’
When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past.
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2. ‘Scream 2’ (1997)
Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Scream 2’. Photo: Dimension Films.
Two years after the Woodsboro murders, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) acclimates to college life while someone donning the Ghostface costume begins a new string of killings.
Drew Barrymore in ‘Scream’. Photo: Dimension Films.
A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl (Neve Campbell) is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.
David Arquette in Paramount Pictures “Scream.” Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
David Arquette will be back as Dewey Riley ‘Scream 7.’
He is returning in a “surprise” way.
Original writer Kevin Williamson is directing.
From the sounds of it, legacy will be a heavy theme in ‘Scream 7.’ Not that the more recent outings of the franchise haven’t carried that, featuring younger relatives of some of the classic characters.
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But the new entry in the franchise, currently being shot by original writer Kevin Williamson in Georgia, has yet another link to the past, with Deadline reporting that David Arquette is back.
Arquette, of course starred as fan-favorite Deputy Dewey Riley, who first appears in the franchise’s original ‘Scream’ film as the older brother of Tatum Riley (Rose McGowan) and the clumsy police deputy trying to help solve the murders in their town of Woodsboro focused on Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell).
Tatum was the fifth victim of the Woodsboro Murders serial killers, which affected Dewey immensely.
Dewey, who also appeared in the other three original ‘Scream’ movies, eventually got his happy ever after, marrying Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers, though the pair were revealed to have divorced in the years leading up to 2022’s ‘Scream’ reboot, which continued the story.
(L to R) David Arquette and Courteney Cox in Paramount Pictures “Scream.”
And to add insult to injury (actually, more like fatal stabbing injury to insult), Dewey is slaughtered by Ghostface (in this case, with Amber Freeman, played by Mikey Madison, in the disguise) in that film.
Yet we can now add him to the list of characters who will return in some reportedly “surprise” way following word of Matthew Lillard (Stu) and Scott Foley (Roman Bridger) coming back.
Both Stu and Roman were revealed in their respective films to be lurking under the Ghostface disguise (Stu working with Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis) and trying to off Sidney. And both –– spoiler alert in case this is your introduction to the ‘Scream’ movie series –– are dead, Stu at the hands (and a handy TV to the head) of Sid and Roman shot by Dewey in ‘Scream 3.’
Still, we’ve seen ‘Scream’ characters return before; Billy himself shows up as a ghostly presence advising Melissa Barrera’s Sam Carpenter in ‘Scream VI.’
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
There are no details yet on what the latest film will feature, though given that Campbell is back as Prescott and May is playing her daughter, you know it’ll factor into their family.
One other element of that? The fact that Sidney is now married to a man named Mark Evans, who it was recently revealed, will be played by Joel McHale.
What has happened with ‘Scream 7’ so far?
Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
To this point, the development of the next ‘Scream’ installment has been more trouble than a scorned lover throwing on a cloak and a Ghostface mask to hunt their friends.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett effectively rebooted the ‘Scream’ franchise with 2002’s ‘Scream’ and followed it up with this year’s ‘Scream VI’, opted to move on after their second effort, choosing instead to make vampire movie ‘Abigail’, which arrived this year.
Production company Spyglass Media Group found a suitable replacement in Christopher Landon, who previously directed the ‘Happy Death Day’ movies and ‘Freaky’, but then things started to go wrong.
Melissa Barrera fired from ‘Scream VII’
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Melissa Barrera was dropped from the franchise for social media posts supporting Palestine in the tragic, ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
While calling for a cease fire in the conflict might not seem all that controversial, some of the reposts on Barrera’s Instagram account have edged over into potentially troubling opinions.
‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
That was followed by word that her co-star, Jenna Ortega, would not then be returning fir the new movie. Ortega’s departure was chalked up to schedule clashes with Season 2 of Netflix hit series ‘Wednesday’, and indeed the decision was reportedly made months before Barrera’s statement and subsequent firing. The timing, though, remains somewhat suspicious.
With his main stars absent, Landon also quit the movie, citing that it had become a nightmare in development.
Neve Campbell talks ‘Scream’ return
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
Here’s what Campbell had to say on the news of her return:
“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! Well actually I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct ‘Scream 7’! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years.”
Joel McHale as Jeff Winger on NBC’s ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.
Preview:
Joel McHale is joining the ‘Scream’ franchise.
He’ll play Sidney Prescott’s husband.
Original writer Kevin Williamson is on board to direct.
McDreamy is out. Say hello to… McSnarky?
No, we are not having a stroke. The news has broken via Deadline that Joel McHale is the latest addition to ‘Scream 7.’ And he’s reportedly playing Sidney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) husband.
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But in this case, it’s not Detective Mark Kincaid, the character that Sidney met in ‘Scream 3,’ and who was played by Patrick Dempsey, and since married. Instead, it seems Sidney will be married to a man named Mark Evans, as that’s who McHale is now on set playing.
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
There are no details yet on what the latest film will feature, though given that Campbell is back as Prescott and May is playing her daughter, you know it’ll factor into the Prescott family.
Obviously, there has been a change to Sidney’s situation, and she’s now gotten remarried. The stress of having survived so many encounters with Ghostface, perhaps?
Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original ‘Scream’ and some of its sequels, has stepped up to direct this latest installment.
Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
To this point, the development of the next ‘Scream’ installment has been more trouble than a scorned lover throwing on a cloak and a Ghostface mask to hunt their friends.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett effectively rebooted the ‘Scream’ franchise with 2002’s ‘Scream’ and followed it up with 2023’s ‘Scream VI’, opted to move on after their second effort, choosing instead to make vampire movie ‘Abigail’, which arrived last year.
Production company Spyglass Media Group found a suitable replacement in Christopher Landon, who previously directed the ‘Happy Death Day’ movies and ‘Freaky’, but then things started to go wrong.
Melissa Barrera fired from ‘Scream VII’
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
While calling for a cease fire in the conflict might not seem all that controversial, some of the reposts on Barrera’s Instagram account have edged over into potentially troubling opinions.
‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
That was followed by word that her co-star, Jenna Ortega, would not then be returning fir the new movie. Ortega’s departure was chalked up to schedule clashes with Season 2 of Netflix hit series ‘Wednesday’, and indeed the decision was reportedly made months before Barrera’s statement and subsequent firing. The timing, though, remains somewhat suspicious.
With his main stars absent, Landon also quit the movie, citing that it had become a nightmare in development.
Neve Campbell talks ‘Scream’ return
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
Here’s what Campbell had to say on the news of her return:
“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! Well actually I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct ‘Scream 7’! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years.”
He’ll appear in the ‘Community’ movie that keeps being touted by its cast and has an unknown role in the third season of ‘Yellowjackets.’ And he’s most frequently found making fun of former ‘Community’ co-star and good friend Ken Jeong.
When will ‘Scream 7’ be in theaters?
‘Scream 7’ will release in theaters worldwide via Paramount Pictures on February 27th, 2026.
Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
(Left) Celeste O’Connor in ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’. Photo: Columbia Pictures. (Right) Isabel May in ‘Run Hide Fight’. Photo: The Daily Wire.
Preview:
Isabel May and Celeste O’Connor are the latest recruits for the ‘Scream’ franchise.
Original writer Kevin Williamson is on board to direct.
Neve Campbell is returning to star as Sidney Prescott.
It appears the ‘Scream’ franchise might finally be back on track after a patch of chaos (more on that below.)
With original writer Kevin Williamson on board to direct the next movie –– that would be ‘Scream VII,’ though all the current reports are writing the title as ‘Scream 7’ –– we now know at least two of the people who will be joining a returning Neve Campbell (who famously declined to appear in the last entry over a low pay offer).
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
There are no details yet on what Williamson’s film will feature, though given that Campbell is back as Prescott and May is playing her daughter, you know it’ll factor into the Prescott family.
This also opens the door up for a potential return from Detective Mark Kincaid, played by Patrick Dempsey, who met Sidney when he was investigating the murders that happen in ‘Scream 3’ and ended up married with a family.
Kincaid has not been glimpsed since that movie, but Sidney does call him on the phone in one of the more recent entries. Dempsey has yet to be confirmed as coming back.
To this point, the development of the next ‘Scream’ installment has been more trouble than a scorned lover throwing on a cloak and a Ghostface mask to hunt their friends.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett effectively rebooted the ‘Scream’ franchise with 2002’s ‘Scream’ and followed it up with this year’s ‘Scream VI’, opted to move on after their second effort, choosing instead to make vampire movie ‘Abigail’, which arrived this year.
Production company Spyglass Media Group found a suitable replacement in Christopher Landon, who previously directed the ‘Happy Death Day’ movies and ‘Freaky’, but then things started to go wrong.
Melissa Barrera fired from ‘Scream VII’
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Melissa Barrera was dropped from the franchise for social media posts supporting Palestine in the tragic, ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
That was followed by word that her co-star, Jenna Ortega, would not then be returning fir the new movie. Ortega’s departure was chalked up to schedule clashes with Season 2 of Netflix hit series ‘Wednesday’, and indeed the decision was reportedly made months before Barrera’s statement and subsequent firing. The timing, though, remains somewhat suspicious.
With his main stars absent, Landon also quit the movie, citing that it had become a nightmare in development.
Neve Campbell talks ‘Scream’ return
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
Here’s what Campbell had to say on the news of her return:
“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! Well actually I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct ‘Scream 7’! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years.”
Coming up, she’ll be seen in sci-fi horror ‘Menace,’ romantic comedy ‘Love Language’ and romantic drama ‘Falling.’
O’Connor played Lucky in the two recent ‘Ghostbusters’ films (‘Afterlife’ and ‘Frozen Empire’), and they were also seen in Sony/Marvel’s ‘Madame Web,’ the Zach Braff-directed drama ‘A Good Person,’ body swap slasher ‘Freaky,’ (ironically, had Christopher Landon stayed, this would have marked a reunion) and the Sundance drama ‘Selah and the Spades.’
Hayden Panetteire as Jaq in ‘Amber Alert’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actress and producer Hayden Panettiere about her work on ‘Amber Alert’, her reaction to the screenplay, her character’s motivations, playing a real-world hero, the friendship she forms with a stranger, working with Tyler James Williams, building suspense, and collaborating with director Kerry Bellessa on set.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview with Panettiere and Tyler James Williams.
Hayden Panetteire stars in ‘Amber Alert’.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and as an actress and producer, why you wanted to be part of this project and see it get made?
Hayden Panettiere: After I read the script, my emotions were all over the place just as a human being, not even reading it as a character to play. But it was a story that I felt in my gut needed to be told, that the people in the world need to keep this in mind, including myself. I felt at first ashamed of myself for getting these Amber Alerts and not taking more time to look around me, and being of the mindset that the chances of me being the person who runs into this abducted child, or this car are slim to none. But realizing that if I thought that way, even as a mom, then how many other people are thinking that way? How many other people have just turned that alert off on their phones? So, I not only did it because I thought it could be an amazing movie, and a scary one at that because it’s so real, but also as like a PSA, basically and to hopefully change people’s perspectives on Amber Alerts.
MF: Can you talk about why your character risks her life for someone that she does not know and what her motivations are in that situation?
HP: The thing that Tyler’s character questions a lot throughout the beginning of the movie is, “You don’t even have a child. You’re not a mom. Why are you making such a big deal about this? Why are you going crazy about this? I mean, he’s in a car that’s the most-driven car in America. We don’t even have a license plate. The chances of that being the car are slim to none.” But maybe I can save this little girl. Even if the chances are slim, I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t at least check.” We’re going off so little for them to ever put out Amber Alerts. They don’t do it without having at least a license plate. So, it’s even slimmer to none. But she convinces this stranger, who is on his way to something that is so important, and has to do with being a parent, because he has his kid, and he can’t let his kid down. But she convinces him that we must, at least (try). “We’re here and nobody else is looking. Nobody else is looking at this car. I don’t see anyone else following it. We have to.” As a mother, I will say I had a very difficult birth, and it almost took my life. But I was okay once she came out and I heard my child cry. I was so okay with the idea of that being the end of life for me. If my child was okay, I was at peace and that feeling just stays with you. Jaq doesn’t care if anything bad happens to her, if there is a child that needs help and isn’t going to get it from anybody else.
(L to R) Hayden Panetteire as Jaq and Tyler James Williams as Shane in ‘Amber Alert’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: Can you talk about the connection Jaq makes with Shane, and working with actor Tyler James Williams?
HP: A lot of projects are not shot in chronological order. Those are for reasons of location, weather and all that kind of stuff. But I really loved that they made a conscious decision to shoot this movie in chronological order as much as possible. We were able to build our personal relationship at the same time as our characters, in the same way. So, what you’re seeing is not falsified. It’s not us hanging out afterwards and really knowing each other and being buddies, then having to pull ourselves back into these situations. It’s raw and real.
MF: Can you talk about tone and building the movie’s suspense through your performance? Did shooting chronologically help with that?
HP: Well, that was Kerry, the director. That was important to him, and it became important to me. It was like how I learned how to play a character in a horror film, because my first experience and my first teacher was Wes Craven himself. Sometimes the timing in scenes to get that scare, that jump, that make the audience feel what we want them to feel in that moment, means that we must slow down, and it almost feels like acting in slow motion. Then when it’s edited together, you bring the music in. As actors, we read a script, we fall in love with it, we fall in love with our character, and we do our best. But then it’s in the hands of other people, and we really have no idea what the outcome is going to be and how it plays. Music has always been important to me as a viewer of anything. When I saw it for the first time, the music just helps so much in taking the audience on the adventure. The roller coaster rolls the way we want it to for the audience.
(L to R) Tyler James Williams and Hayden Panetteire in ‘Amber Alert’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: What was it like working with director Kerry Bellessa, both as an actress and as an executive producer?
HP: He is amazing. He’s incredible: both him and his wife, who were very passionate about this project. I mean, they lived with this project for years, because this is a remake. Now they were finally, after all these years, able to truly make it a great film that everyone hopefully goes out to see. It’s not just a movie, but it’s a PSA. It’s a movie that we were all in the same mindset of wanting it so badly to change people’s minds, and how they look at the world. If they’ve turned that notice off on their phone, which we can do, turn it back on! Even though it’s so easy to think, “The chances of me being the person to find this abducted child are one in millions,” that it’s still going to be one of us. If we all had used our eyes and took a second to look around when we got that alert, if everyone thought the same way, then we could save so many children from just horrific deaths and torture. I mean, those few that have come back to us after years and found a way to escape and shared their story, we as human beings don’t want to believe that such horror is possible, that people out there can commit these acts. But that’s the cold, hard facts of life. So be that person. Be that person who takes two seconds, even if you’re in a rush, to just look around.
MF: Finally, you played a superhero on the TV series ‘Heroes’, but what was it like portraying a real-world hero in ‘Amber Alert’?
HP: I loved it, because my father’s always been my hero. He was a lieutenant in the fire department in New York City for twenty-one years and retired nine months before 9/11. The firehouse he retired from; they were the first on the scene. They lost their entire crew, their captain, everyone. He lost so many friends. I have this shrine to him of saving children, pulling children out of fires. I felt like I got to be him. I got to at least play him. Every time he went into a fire, they don’t know if they’re going to come out. But their focus is getting everyone to safety. “Even if I have to take the ceiling falling on me, I’m getting you out of here.” So, she’s determined, even if it’s the death of her, to save this one child.
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What is the plot of ‘Amber Alert’?
An ordinary rideshare becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse when Jaq (Hayden Panettiere) and Shane (Tyler James Williams) receive an alert of a child abduction on their phones. Quickly realizing they are behind a car that matches the description of the kidnapper’s, Jaq and Shane desperately race against time to save the child’s life.
Who is in the cast of ‘Amber Alert’?
Hayden Panettiere as Jaq
Tyler James Williams as Shane
Saidah Arrika Ekulona as Cici
Kevin Dunn as Sgt. Casey
‘Amber Alert’ opens in select theaters on demand September 27th.
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
Preview:
Neve Campbell has announced she’s back for the new ‘Scream’ movie.
Kevin Williamson is on board to direct.
The new movie previously lost its main starring duo and director Christopher Landon.
There finally appears to be some good news in the offing for the ‘Scream’ franchise, and for fans of Neve Campbell’s iconic Sidney Prescott.
After the actor sat out the most recent movie (‘Scream VI’, which nevertheless became a box office hit) because of an insultingly low pay offer, she has now hit social media to announce that she’ll be back for the seventh outing.
And that’s not all –– Kevin Williamson, who cooked up the concept for the original ‘Scream’ wrote three of the original four movies and has served as an executive producer on all of them, is also back: and this time he’s stepping into the director’s chair.
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Neve Campbell Talks ‘Scream’ Return
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
Here’s what Campbell had to say on the news:
“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! Well actually I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct ‘Scream 7’! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years.”
(L to R) Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Executive Producer Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s 2022’s ‘Scream.’
To this point, the development of the next ‘Scream’ installment has been more trouble than a scorned lover throwing on a cloak and a Ghostface mask to hunt their friends.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett effectively rebooted the ‘Scream’ franchise with 2002’s ‘Scream’ and followed it up with this year’s ‘Scream VI’, opted to move on after their second effort, choosing instead to make vampire movie ‘Abigail’, due this year.
Production company Spyglass Media Group found a suitable replacement in Christopher Landon, who previously directed the ‘Happy Death Day’ movies and ‘Freaky’, but then things started to go wrong.
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Melissa Barrera was dropped from the franchise for social media posts supporting Palestine in the tragic, ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
While calling for a cease fire in the conflict might not seem all that controversial, some of the reposts on Barrera’s Instagram account have edged over into potentially troubling opinions on Jews.
‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
That was followed by word that her co-star, Jenna Ortega, would not then be returning for the new movie. Ortega’s departure was chalked up to schedule clashes with Season 2 of Netflix hit series ‘Wednesday’, and indeed the decision was reportedly made months before Barrera’s statement and subsequent firing. The timing, though, remains somewhat suspicious.
With his main stars absent, Landon also quit the movie, citing that it had become a nightmare in development.
The Campbell and Williamson news would certainly serve to get things back on a more even keel, though there is currently no release date for the movie.
Christopher Landon attends Netflix’s ‘We Have A Ghost’ Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.
Preview:
Director Christopher Landon announced via social media that he’s left the new ‘Scream’ Movie.
The move follows the firing of Melissa Barrera and the departure of co-star Jenna Ortega.
‘Scream VII’ is currently not dated for release.
‘Scream VII’ is starting to feel like a victim of its own iconic Ghostface killer, hunted down by the forces of bad luck and bad karma. The latest strike is the departure of director Christopher Landon, who follows stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega away from the movie (the actors departed for different reasons, more on that below).
Christopher Landon attends Netflix’s ‘We Have A Ghost’ Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.
Landon, in a twitter post, explained his moving on and the reasons for it:
“I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited ‘Scream 7’ weeks ago. This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on. I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”
Why is Jenna Ortega not returning for the seventh ‘Scream’ movie?
Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.
Officially, the story, according to Deadline is one of scheduling issues brought about because of the actors’ strike –– Ortega has a few days’ work left to complete ‘Beetlejuice 2’ and will spend a chunk of next year filming the second season of hit Netflix series ‘Wednesday’ in Ireland.
With ‘Scream’ looking to get the movie going ahead now the strikes are over, it appeared she simply won’t have time to make both projects.
We’re still not certain why Spyglass (and studio Paramount) couldn’t simply hit pause until Ortega had space in her schedule, but of course the franchise needs to rumble on.
Yet the timing is also intriguing given the other big ‘Scream’ wrinkle…
What happened with Melissa Barrera and ‘Scream’?
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Why are we a little suspicious of the timing? The Ortega news arrives one day after her co-star Melissa Barrera was dropped from the franchise for social media posts supporting Palestine in the tragic, ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
While calling for a cease fire in the conflict might not seem all that controversial, some of the reposts on Barrera’s Instagram account have edged over into potentially troubling opinions on Jews.
‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
When will ‘Scream VII’ be released?
With no director and a likely need for big re-writes to accommodate a casting change, ‘Scream VII’ is on pause for now and has no set release date.
Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.
Preview:
Jenna Ortega is no longer appearing in ‘Scream VII’.
She reportedly has a schedule clash with filming ‘Wednesday’ Season 2.
The news comes just as co-star Melissa Barrera is dropped from the film over controversial social media posts.
The ‘Scream’ franchise has been hit with a one-two punch of its main stars departing.
Today brings word that Jenna Ortega, who has played Tara Carpenter for the most recent two entries (directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), will not return for the seventh installment.
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Why is Jenna Ortega not returning for the seventh ‘Scream’ movie?
Officially, the story, according to Deadline is one of scheduling issues brought about because of the actors’ strike –– Ortega has a few days’ work left to complete ‘Beetlejuice 2’ and will spend a chunk of next year filming the second season of hit Netflix series ‘Wednesday’ in Ireland.
We’re still not certain why Spyglass (and studio Paramount) couldn’t simply hit pause until Ortega had space in her schedule, but of course the franchise needs to rumble on.
Yet the timing is also intriguing given the other big ‘Scream’ wrinkle…
What happened with Melissa Barrera and ‘Scream’?
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Why are we a little suspicious of the timing? The Ortega news arrives one day after her co-star Melissa Barrera was dropped from the franchise for controversial social media posts.
‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
And Landon put his own statement on Twitter, but then deleted it:
“This is my statement: 💔 Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.”
Obviously losing its two main stars (Ortega in particular had been a big draw for the last couple of movies) is a huge issue for the ‘Scream’ series, and it’ll mean some serious reconsideration in creative terms.
There are certainly paths forward, including a movie that returns the focus to the surviving veteran cast, including Courteney Cox (and potentially backing a dump truck full of money to Neve Campbell’s house to try and tempt her back after she skipped the most recent film) or going the reboot route completely with a fresh cast trying survive Ghostface’s stalk-and-slash machinations.
As of now, the new ‘Scream’ is not far enough along to lock down a release date. Especially given that it’ll need a giant re-write…
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter), Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin) and Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin) star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
(L to R) Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Executive Producer Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s 2022’s ‘Scream.’
Perhaps the most controversial element of the most recent ‘Scream’ outing (that would be ‘Scream VI’, for those keeping count) was the fact that franchise stalwart Neve Campbell, who has played Sidney Prescott since the start, opted not to return, citing a lowball pay offer.
The movie proceeded on regardless, only dropping a one-line mention of Sidney preferring to stay with her young family rather than thrusting herself back into stabby danger.
Yet according to Kevin Williamson, whose roots also go back to the first ‘Scream’ (he wrote the 1996 original, its 1997 sequel and 2011’s ‘Scream 4’), production company Spyglass made the wrong call in not cranking open its wallet further to bring Campbell, and therefore Sidney, back.
Kevin Williamson on the Neve Campbell pay situation.
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
“I totally respect her opinion. I know exactly where she’s coming from, I know her well. I love and adore her and that’s what she did. It’s right for her. I love everyone involved in ‘Scream’ and all I can say is, pay her the money. That’s what I would do, I would give her the money. I’m sure there’s a number they can agree on that will make them both happy, so hopefully one day they will figure that out.”
And on a more interesting note, he also used the podcast appearance to outline his ideas for where he would have taken Sidney’s story following ‘Scream 4’.
Executive Producer Kevin Williamson and Ghostface on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream.’
Williamson said this about his own ideas:
“‘Scream IV,’ ‘V,’ and ‘VI’ would have been the love story of Sidney Prescott, and it would’ve been this whole thing of she’s falling in love, she’s going to get married, it’s all based around her marriage when these murders start happening again. It’s like, is this man that she’s in love with the killer again? Is she Billy Loomis-ing herself all over again? Is she still making the wrong decisions? Is she still choosing the bad guy?”
We’ll probably never know the answer, because there’s a whole new behind-the-scenes team being assembled for ‘Scream VII’.
What’s happening with ‘Scream VII’?
Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Last month, the news arrived that because of their commitment to an untitled Universal monster movie, Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin were moving on from the ‘Scream’ franchise (and, after cranking out two successful movies, we don’t blame them for wanting to try something fresh).
Instead, ‘Happy Death Day’ and ‘Freaky’s Christopher Landonis aboard to develop the seventh entry, though obviously it’s currently in limbo because of the writers and actors’ strikes. Still Campbell’s character is still alive, so there remains a chance she could return. Assuming, of course the price is right.
Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Christopher Landon attends Netflix’s ‘We Have A Ghost’ Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.
Having directed the last two ‘Scream’ movies, the fifth (just titled ‘Scream’, confusingly) and sixth, ‘Scream VI’, you might think that directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett would be a shoo-in to handle the seventh, spawned because of the success of their two efforts.
But the duo, who work as part of the filmmaking collective known as Radio Silence, are even more in demand than they were before they jumped into the world of genre-obsessed Ghostface killers and have since parlayed that success into the chance to make an original horror movie for Universal that taps into the studio’s stock of classic characters and concepts.
Christopher Landon attends Netflix’s ‘We Have A Ghost’ Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.
Landon is a respected writer/director in the horror field, having brought movies such as ‘Happy Death Day’, ‘Freaky’, and, most recently, the family-friendlier ‘We Have a Ghost’ for Netflix to screens.
He’s also been behind several entries of the ‘Paranormal Activity’ franchise and wrote the script for 2007 thriller ‘Disturbia’ among others.
Landon certainly has the chops to bring something fresh to the ‘Scream’ world, especially since his past work, like the Radio Silence team has shown a willingness to play with genre and explore ways to sidestep cliches.
Where does the next ‘Scream’ movie stand?
Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Of course, while Landon can be hired and do some directorial prep work for a new ‘Scream’, the movie itself will have to wait until the strikes are over, since unless a script has already been developed (no word is mentioned in either report as to whether James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, who wrote the last two films, had been at work on the new one). And regardless, given his usual writing and directing style, Landon may want to take his own crack at the screenplay, something he can’t do until the Writers Guild of America has a new deal in place.
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Much like with the script, casting can’t officially move forward on the new ‘Scream’ until the actors’ strike is over. But we can reasonably assume that the current set of survivors, including Barrera, Jenna Ortega and Mason Gooding, are candidates to be back.
Of course, they’re all much more in demand themselves these days (especially Ortega, who between these movies and ‘Wednesday’, has much higher profile and will likely require a new deal to return?) so expect negotiations to kick in properly once the actors can actually return.
‘Scream VII’, or whatever it ends up being called, has yet to be officially announced, so there’s no word on a release date.
Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
