After what feels like months of bad news about the Scream franchise, there is finally something positive to report. Neve Campbell – who turned down the chance to reprise her iconic central role of Sidney Prescott in the most recent (sixth) entry because of an insultingly low pay offer, has hit social media to reveal that she'll be back for the seventh film — and that longtime franchise producer (and original writer) Kevin Williamson is stepping up to direct for the first time.
The otherwise yet to be officially titled Scream VII has been beset by issues. Following 2022's Scream and last year's Scream VI, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett opting to move onto other projects (vampire pic Abigail is due in cinemas next month), the film series also saw star Melissa Barrera fired after outspoken comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict and fellow actor Jenna Ortega bow out for suspiciously convenient scheduling reasons.
Christopher Landon, who had been hired to make the new movie, also left, citing that his dream job had become a nightmare. Campbell's return should certainly prove to be a boost, and Williamson, who wrote most of the original four films and has produced them all, is likely seen as a safe pair of hands.
"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!!!" Campbell writes in her statement. "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."
See Campbell's full post:
Scream VII, written by returning scribe Guy Busick, who penned the most recent two films (though we'd be shocked if Williamson didn't take a pass on it himself) has yet to confirm either a release date or whether the likes of other recent stars Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding or Campbell's fellow legacy performer Courteney Cox will be back.