Everything we know about Scream 7 as Neve Campbell returns

What’s your favourite scary movie? If it’s Scream, then you’re in luck because the seventh instalment of this popular horror franchise is heading our way soon.

Neve Campbell has announced she is returning to the film as Sidney Prescott, sharing the news with her Instagram followers in March 2024. Her casting comes after Melissa Berrera, star of Scream V and Scream VI, was fired from the film due to her posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

A statement from the production company explained: “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.”

Shortly afterwards, it was revealed that her co-star Jenna Ortega would not be returning either. However, this decision was reportedly made months before being announced and is not believed to have been connected to Barrera's departure.

The Scream franchise began in 1996 with Wes Craven’s original movie which followed the inhabitants of the fictional town of Woodsboro and their battles with a string of serial killers, each of whom dons a creepy ghost mask and tends to target Campbell’s unlucky heroine Sidney Prescott.

Following Craven’s death in 2015, there have been two new instalments to this game-changing slasher series, including Scream in 2022 and Scream VI a year later, both directed by Ready or Not duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

Read more: The story of Scream so far

Here’s everything we know about Scream 7 so far, including its release date, cast, plot and more.

When will Scream 7 be released?

Originally, Scream 7 was due for release sometime in 2024 but the now-resolved Hollywood strikes looks likely to have delayed that to sometime in the future.

Who’s starring in Scream 7?

After initially ruling a return out due to salary disputes, Neve Campbell confirmed her return to the franchise in March 2024, sharing a picture of the script and writing: “It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the Scream movies.

“My appreciation for these films and for what they have meant to me, has never waned. 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... To the amazing Scream fans, I hope you are as excited as I am.”

Campbell had previously left the franchise a year before Scream 6, saying that the studio’s offer “did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.” She said in a statement: “As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream.” It seems the studio have now seen sense.

There is currently no word on if surviving Scream character Kirby, played by Heroes actor Hayden Panettiere or Courtney Cox’s reporter Gale Weathers will be back.

As previously mentioned, Melissa Berrera and Jenna Ortega will not be starring in Scream 7.

Barrera was dropped from the movie in November 2023. A day after this news broke, it was revealed that Ortega would not be returning either due to her commitments on Netflix’s Wednesday series. Her decision not to return is not thought to be linked to Barrera’s firing.

Barrera played the Scream story’s new final girl, Sam Carpenter, a character who is the son of the original Ghostface killer played by Skeet Ulrich in Craven’s original movie. Ortega played her half-sister Tara.

Who is directing Scream 7?

Scream 7 has had more behind-the-scenes chaos than Ghostface usually causes on-screen.

After Ready or Not directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, the director duo collectively known as Radio Silence, revamped this iconic horror franchise following Craven’s death, many were hoping they’d stick around to take the series forward but that wasn’t the case.

While they’ll executive produce Scream 7, directing duties fell to Happy Death Day and Freaky filmmaker Christopher Landon before he dropped out of the project in December 2023. “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,” he explained via X.

Kevin Williamson, the screenwriter of Scream, Scream 2 and Scream 4 was unveiled as the new director in March 2024.

What is the plot of Scream 7?

Parts five and six of the Scream franchise were penned by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, who took the series into new territory and fresh locations. The good news is that both writers will be back for Scream 7.

As for what it will be about? Part six took Scream from Woodsboro to New York City but it’s we're unsure as to whether the action will stay there or return to familiar ground.

Is there a trailer for Scream 7?

There’s no trailer for Scream 7 available to view at the moment.

Scream 7 is coming soon.