'Scream 7': Matthew Lillard's shock return, Mark Consuelos, and everything else we know
The latest "Scream" may be reintroducing some familiar Ghostfaces.
"Scream 7," the next installment in the long-running horror franchise, is set to stab its way into theaters in just over a year, and on Thursday, some bombshell casting news left fans' heads spinning.
Matthew Lillard, who played Ghostface killer Stu Macher in the original "Scream," is returning to the series. After his casting was reported by multiple outlets, Lillard seemingly confirmed it on Instagram by posting a quote his character uttered in the 1996 film: "My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me!"
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Spyglass Media Group, the film's production company.
The cast for "Scream 7" has been gradually growing in recent weeks and consists of a mix of new and returning stars. But there remains a fair amount of controversy around the project based largely on who isn't in it.
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'Scream 7' cast: Who's starring in the film?
Lillard was the most recent member of the cast to be revealed, creating confusion given his character died at the end of 1996's "Scream" by having a television fall on his head. There has long been a fan theory that Stu secretly survived, an idea that "Scream VI" poked fun at. But it's unclear whether Lillard's return confirms Stu is still alive or if he will be playing the character in flashbacks, hallucinations, or some other form.
Equally as shocking was reports from Deadline and Entertainment Weekly that Scott Foley will be in the film. He previously played Sidney Prescott's half-brother Roman Bridger, the Ghostface killer in "Scream 3." But it's again unclear how he'll be returning given Roman was shot in the head at the end of that film.
Meanwhile, Neve Campbell is back to star as Sidney Prescott after playing the iconic final girl in the first five films. She dropped out of 2023's "Scream VI" due to a salary dispute, though the movie mentioned that she was taking care of her family off screen.
"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 said on Instagram last year.
Scream VI' spoilers!Sorry, Ghostface, this character is the franchise's best killer
Additionally, Courteney Cox, who has appeared in every single "Scream" film, is back as reporter Gale Weathers.
New cast members for "Scream 7" include Joel McHale, who according to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline is playing Sidney's husband Mark Evans. 2022's "Scream" revealed Sidney has a husband named Mark who does not appear on screen, though the film's directors confirmed in interviews this man was Mark Kincaid, Patrick Dempsey's character from "Scream 3." That is apparently no longer the case, as Dempsey is not reported to be returning. The "Grey's Anatomy" star said on the "Today" show in October that "there has been a conversation" about him being in the movie, but he was "waiting on the script."
Isabel May will reportedly play Sidney's daughter in the film, and other new cast members reportedly include Mckenna Grace, Celeste O'Connor, Asa Germann, Anna Camp, and Sam Rechner.
Neve Campbellis returning for 'Scream 7' after pay dispute, Melissa Barrera firing
Mark Consuelos will also star in the movie, he confirmed on "LIVE with Kelly and Mark." "I had the most amazing time," he said.
Finally, Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown are returning as twins Chad and Mindy, per Deadline and Variety.
Who's making 'Scream 7'?
The directors of "Scream" (2022) and "Scream VI," Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, did not return to direct "Scream 7." They told The Hollywood Reporter they "got exited" from the film because they went to work on their movie "Abigail" after "Scream VI," and the studio did not want to wait for them before moving ahead with "Scream 7."
The movie will instead be directed by Kevin Williamson, the screenwriter behind the first "Scream" and its sequels "Scream 2" and "Scream 4." This is his first time directing a "Scream" movie and only his second time directing any movie, after 1999's "Teaching Mrs. Tingle."
Williamson confirmed on Instagram in January that the movie has begun filming.
But there will still be a creative tie to the most recent two films, as the screenplay for "Scream 7" was written by Guy Busick, who co-wrote "Scream" (2022) and "Scream VI."
What's the controversy around 'Scream 7'?
Two names notably missing from the cast list are Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, who starred as the main characters of the rebooted "Scream" series, Sam and Tara Carpenter.
In 2023, Spyglass fired Barrera from the film due to her posts supportive of Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas war, which the studio alleged constituted "hate speech." She said in a statement after her firing, "I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people."
Melissa Barreraaddresses 'Scream 7' firing over posts on Israel-Hamas war: 'Silence is not an option'
At the time, Christopher Landon was set to direct the film, but he announced the following month he had left the project. "It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare," he posted on X.
Shortly after Barrera's firing, Ortega was also confirmed to not be returning as Tara, which Deadline reported was due to her busy shooting schedule.
Some fans continue to support Barrera and have vowed not to see "Scream 7" due to her firing.
'Scream 7' release date
"Scream 7" will hit theaters on Feb. 27, 2026.
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