While the focus of the next film will be shifting back to the franchise’s iconic heroine,Scream 7’s cast is bringing back a key actor from the recent installments. The seventh installment in the iconic slasher horror franchise has endured a bit of a rockier road in development amidMelissa Barrera’s firingand Jenna Ortega’s exit, as well as director Christopher Landon leaving the chair shortly after being hired, leading to the story needing to be reworked. Neve Campbell will now lead theScream 7cast, reprising her role of Sidney Prescott, alongside fellow franchise vet Courteney Cox and newcomers Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Mckenna Grace and Sam Rechner.
Varietyhas now brought word thatMason Gooding will be returning toScream 7’s cast. While the publication’s report doesn’t outright confirm a deal has been signed for the Core Four star in the sequel, their sources state he will reprise his role of Chad Meeks-Martin for the upcoming installment. They also report that Jasmin Savoy Brown, who starred in the previous twoScreammovies as his sister Mindy, has not yet signed a deal to come back for the sequel.
What Gooding’s Return Means For Scream 7
He Could Be Tying Up Some Loose Plot Threads
With Gooding on board,Scream 7’s castofficially has the first of the affectionately named Core Four backfrom the recent movies. Barrera and Ortega’s departures have sparked a lot of controversy from fans of the franchise, particularly as the former has indicated the duo were pitched on a trilogy of stories for their characters, Sam and Tara. As such, having a familiar face back from the recent movies could be somewhat helpful to draw in newer fans as much as longtime ones keen to see Campbell lead the charge again.
The other major benefit to come from Gooding’s return is thatScream 7can offer some kind of explanation for the shift in focus away from Sam and Tara.Scream VImemorably had to slightly shift its story when Campbell refused to return due to a pay dispute with the studio, resulting inCox’s Gale Weathersexplaining that Sidney and Patrick Dempsey’s Mark had taken their kids into hiding amid the latest Ghostface killings. Considering Gooding’s Chad and Ortega’s Tara essentially became a couple at the end of the last movie, the appearance of the former could offer an explanation for the latter’s absence.
What Neve Campbell’s Return Means For Scream 7: Can It Save The $913M Horror Franchise?
Neve Campbell is officially coming back for Scream 7, and though this can open many doors for the franchise, its survival might not be guaranteed.
The biggest point of curiosity now is sure to bewhether Brown reprises her role as Chad’s sister, Mindy, forScream 7. Staying true to the original movies, Mindy has carried on her uncle’s,Jamie Kennedy’s Randy, legacy by explaining the rules of the horror movies that her stories were emanating to the new cast of characters. While director Kevin Williamson and returning scribe Guy Busick could introduce a new character to do so, Gooding’s return could very well be a setup for her proper return.
Our Take On Gooding’s Scream 7 Return
A Welcome Continuation Of The Recent Sequels
While he may not have gotten as big of a focus in the movies as Sam or Tara, Gooding’s Chad was actually a great ongoing addition to the franchise with 2022’s sequel, and his confirmed return forScream 7restores a lot of excitement for me in the upcoming installment. The rest of the cast are certainly nothing to shake one’s head at, particularly given May is said to be in talks to play one of Sidney’s children.
7 Things I Need To See Happen In Scream 7 With Sidney Back As The Lead Character
Scream 7 is finally bringing back Sidney Prescott, and I really want to see these seven story beats happen during her big return to the franchise.
That being said, now that we have proper confirmation that the previous installments will have their story continue in some capacity inScream 7, this should go a long way in dissuading a lot of fans' fears of the last two movies no longer mattering. Plus, if Ortega continues to enjoy the upward trend of her career and the studio pushes to have her come back, there is also a chance she could convince the studio to also bring back Barrera, allowing for an effective closure to their arc.
Scream 7
Cast
Scream 7 is the latest entry in the longstanding horror franchise, continuing the legacy with new chilling events.
