Hayden Panettiere to return from four-year acting hiatus with 'Scream' reprise

Hayden Panettiere is making her way back to the big screen, and it’s going to be killer.

The Golden Globe-nominated actress is set to join the next installment in the “Scream” franchise, reprising her role of Kirby Reed from “Scream 4,” Spyglass Media and Paramount Pictures announced in a press release Wednesday, four years since her last onscreen role.

Panettiere will join returning cast members Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding and Jenna Ortega, who appeared in “Scream” earlier this year alongside Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, the release states. Shooting for the film is slated to begin this summer.

The 32-year-old actress’s last role was in the music drama “Nashville,” which she starred in from 2012-2018 alongside Clare Bowen, Charles Esten and Jonathan Jackson. Panettiere also appeared in the films “Custody,” co-starring Viola Davis and Tony Shalhoub, and “The Forger” with Josh Hutcherson and Lauren Bacall in 2016 and 2012, respectively.

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And while Panettiere hasn’t been in the spotlight for her craft, the actress has been using her platform to champion causes close to her heart. Speaking out on the war in Ukraine, Panettiere created the relief organization Hoplon International "to bring relief and aid directly to Ukrainians on the front lines," including "life-saving supplies" such as body armor and medical kits.

“I can't continue to sit on the sidelines just watching as this disaster rages on,” said Panettiere in a video posted March 8.

Panettiere has also opened up about her experience of domestic violence in an effort to raise awareness about the issue. In April 2021, Panettiere’s then-ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson was sentenced to 45 days in jail and four years of probation after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent, following multiple domestic violence charges dating back to 2018.

In an Instagram post from July 2020, Panettiere said she hoped her story could empower others in similar situations.

"I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve," Panettiere wrote at the time. "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again."

Related: Hayden Panettiere's ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson sentenced to jail, probation in domestic violence case

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Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff, Charles Trepany

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hayden Panettiere returns to acting, will reprise 'Scream' role