A franchise original and a star of ‘Scream 3’ are both headed back for more Ghostface fun… But how since they’re both dead in the movies’ canon?
(Left) Matthew Lillard in 1996’s ‘Scream’. Photo: Dimension Films. (Right) Scott Foley in ‘Scream 3’. Photo: Dimension Films.
Preview:Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley will both appear in ‘Scream 7.’Details on their return are a mystery for now.Original writer Kevin Williamson is on board to direct.Looks like Kevin Williamson is ready to invoke some ghost(face)s of ‘Scream’ past for the new movie.
With production having ramped up in Atlanta, Williamson, who of course wrote the first two original ‘Scream’ movies (and ‘Scream 4’) is stepping up to direct this time.
And ‘Scream 7’s script –– from Guy Busick, who wrote the last couple of outings contains return appearances for a franchise stalwart and an actor from the third movie.
Yes, veteran ‘Scream’ fans will no doubt be excited to learn that Matthew Lillard, who played horror movie obsessive Stuart ‘Stu’ Macher in the first film, is back, per Deadline.
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And he’s not the only one, as the trade site also reports that Scott Foley, who played Roman Bridger, the antagonist half-brother of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) in ‘Scream 3’, is also returning.
Which brings us to our next question… how? 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 was shot by Deputy Dewey Riley (David Arquette).
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.’
Plus, Lillard’s Instagram post teasing his return doesn’t hint at some twin twist…
However they make their return, it’s going to be bad news for Sidney.
Campbell is back as Sid alongside the likes of Courteney Cox (her co-star and fellow ‘Scream’ co-star, who is back as reporter/author Gale Weathers), plus Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks-Martin and Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks-Martin, as reported by Variety, as well as newcomers Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner and Anna Camp.
What’s the story of ‘Scream 7’?
Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’ © 2022 Paramount Pictures. Ghost Face is a Registered Trademark of Fun World Div., Easter Unlimited, Inc. ©1999. All Rights Reserved.
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.
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.
Related Article: ‘Scream 7’: Joel McHale to Play Sidney Prescott’s Husband in the New MovieWhat has happened with ‘Scream 7’ so far?
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 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.”
You can read her full Instagram post here:
What else have Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley been up to?
Matthew Lillard as Norville “Shaggy” Rogers in 2002’s ‘Scooby-Doo’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
In the years since their respective ‘Scream’ outings, both actors have seen successful careers.
Lillard’s star rose considerably on the back of his turn as Stu and he went on to the likes of the ‘Scooby Doo’ franchise, ‘She’s All That,’ Alexander Payne’s ‘The Descendants’ and, more recently on the big screen horror font, a key role in the Blumhouse/Universal movie ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s.’
As for Foley, his career has varied between movies and TV, favoring the latter, with appearances in such shows as ‘Felicity,’ ‘Scrubs,’ ‘True Blood’ and ‘Scandal.’
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.’
Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Scream’ franchise:‘Scream’ (1996)‘Scream 2′ (1997)’Scream 3′ (2000)’Scream 4′ (2011)’Scream: The TV Series’ (2015 – 2019)‘Scream’ (2022)’Scream VI’ (2023)Buy ‘Scream’ Movies on Amazon
