Neve Campbell Returning for ‘Scream VII’

Original ‘Scream’ writer and one of the franchise’s leading lights, Kevin Williamson, is directing this new instalment, which has been beset by issues.

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.

Scream 7

Not Yet Rated

The seventh installment in the 'Scream' franchise. Plot TBA. Read the Plot

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.”

You can read her full Instagram post here:

What Has Happened with ‘Scream VII’ So Far?

Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Executive Producer Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 2022's 'Scream.'

(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.

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 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.