Just an idea: What if we stopped manufacturing Ghostface masks? Would that help? It feels like it might help!
After weathering all sorts of behind-the-scenes and also very-much-in-the-public-eye drama, the seventh entry in the venerable “Scream” franchise today offers up its first trailer. And while there’s stuff to celebrate here, like the return of original final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), original screenwriter Kevin Williamson behind the camera, and some small town chills, much of this first look feels a bit been-there, done-that.
Per the film‘s official synopsis: “When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.”
The film stars Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Asa Germann, Celeste O’Connor, Sam Rechner, Ethan Embry, Tim Simons, and Mark Consuelos. “Scream 7” marks the first time original screenwriter Kevin Williamson will direct a franchise outing, this time with a story by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, with the final screenplay coming from Williamson and Busick.
The seventh film in the franchise was originally going to look much different, but after the departures of both stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega (who lead the revamped franchise in the fifth and sixth entries) and director Christopher Landon, we’re guessing this new “Scream” is a brand new monster.
Landon told Vanity Fair last year that he and his family endured death threats and “abuse” after “Scream” franchise actress Melissa Barrera was fired by production company Spyglass for her pro-Palestine comments. According to Landon, fans conflated Spyglass’ decision with his own personal politics; at the time, Landon wrote on Twitter in a since-deleted statement about Barrera’s firing, “Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.” Landon left the project in 2023.
After Barrera was let go, her “Scream” co-star Jenna Ortega decided to leave the franchise as well. It was originally reported that “Scream VII” conflicted with Ortega’s “Wednesday” Season 2 shoot after the SAG-AFTRA strikes; Ortega recently clarified to The Cut that her exit had “nothing to do with pay or scheduling” and it was Barrera’s firing that was the reason for her decision to leave.
“Scream 7” will hit theaters on Friday, February 27. Check out the film’s first trailer below.
