The screams the franchise won’t be the same after that Melissa Barrerashoot and Jenna Ortegathe departure before the seventh film.
Before the shocking dismissal, screams became a horror staple spanning decades. The first film, released in 1996, focused on Sidney Prescott (Neave Campbell), as he confronts numerous assassins hiding their identities behind the Ghostface persona. The Last Girl got help from fellow OG Scream characters Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette), which led to the creation of three sequels in 1997, 2000, and 2011.
The franchise was revived almost a decade later cry 4 was released. This allowed screams to bring in new characters Sam (Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Ortega). With changes came surprising exits, like Campbell’s divorce decree with the franchise after filming the fifth installment due to failed salary negotiations.
The shocks kept coming when, in November 2023, news broke that Barrera was vocal for her support for Palestine amid a conflict in the Middle East with Israel that led to her dismissal. the same month, Deadline Ortega said will also come out due to a conflicting filming schedule with that of Netflix Wednesday.
The horror genre hasn’t been the same since Ghostface asked Drew Barrymore that question in 1996. Three sequels and one TV spinoff later, the Scream franchise isn’t going anywhere. The first Scream movie debuted in December, a month usually reserved for awards contenders and family holiday meals. However, it became a hit and (…)
Keep scrolling for everything you need to know Vic VII:
Who’s coming back?
Before the departures of Barrera and Ortega, fans expected to see both reprise their roles. Jasmine Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding are the rest of the actors who make up the on-screen dynamic of the “Core Four” friends, and they were probably set to return.
In January 2024 however, Brown confirmed that she had not heard about her future with the franchise. “I haven’t received a call,” she said Entertainment tonight. “If you want to ask Spyglass what they’re doing, you can.”
From Sam’s Boyfriend Danny (Tom Segara) remained alive at the end of Vic VIthere was an assumption that he would remain part of the group. Segara, for his part, confirmed that he has plans to play Danny in more installments of screams.
Vic VI also left the door open for legacy characters like Gale (Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) for appearances in the future, In October 2024 Cox has confirmed that he will be returning to the franchise.
“I’m the longest runner screams queen, so I guess I can’t stop now,” she shared at the Inc. conference. 5000.
Panettiere has not yet said whether she will participate in the Vic VII.
After skipping the Vic VICampbell announced in March 2024 that he would come back as Sydney for the next installment of the franchise.
Which actors won’t be returning?
Neve Campbell in Scream 5.
Paramount Pictures/YouTubeBarrera shoots from screams franchise made headlines after production company Spyglass Media Group denied Barrera’s pro-Palestinian comments caused the decision.
“Spyglass’ position is unequivocally clear: we have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism or hate speech in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, distortions of the Holocaust or anything that grossly crosses the line of hate speech,” it reads. their november 2023 statement to Diversity.
Ortega will also not be returning due to prior filming commitments.
Matthew Lillardwho played Stu in the original screams film, also shared that he will not be participating Vic VII.
“No, I’m not in the movie. Even if I was, I’d be lying… to your face. Until the day it came out, I was just going to lie to you,” he said Fandom in an interview in October 2024.
What creative changes have occurred?
After Spyglass Media Group secured the development rights for the fifth film, Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin were hired as project directors. The duo returned for Vic VIbut the next installment was to be led by Christopher Landonwho is known for his involvement in Happy Death Day and Strange. However, Landon announced in late December 2023 that he had left the project.
“I guess now is the best time to announce that I’m officially out shout 7 weeks ago,” Landon shared via X (formerly known as Twitter). “It will disappoint some and please others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart broke for everyone involved. everyone. But it’s time to move on. I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than hope Wes (Anderson‘s) heritage flourishes and rises above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin (Williamson) is something incredible and I was honored to have even the briefest moment to bask in their brilliance.”
Along with the news that Campbell will be returning for Scream VIIit was announced that Williamson—who had written the first two and the fourth screams films—would step into the director’s chair.
Where did the story stop?
Vic VI focused on Sam’s state of mind as she wrestled with the revelation that she was daughter of the first Ghostface killer, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). Reddit trolls began to theorize that Sam is the one killing his loved ones because of his father’s murderous past. Sam managed to find a way to reconcile her father is a murderer while refusing to go down the same path.
Meanwhile, Sam’s sister, Tara, tried to make a fresh start in New York after the events of Vic VI. However, their past followed them to the Big Apple as a family of Vic VI the killer Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) went on a revenge mission to take down the sisters. With Kirby’s help, the Core Four made it out of the movie alive.
Which fan theories can be addressed?
The popular fan theory that one of Ghostface’s original killers, Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) wasn’t actually dead has been mentioned numerous times since the franchise was revived. Lillard with enthusiasm support the idea that he returns in some capacity and Vic VI leave this option open.
A scary movie icon! While the original Scream premiered in 1996, many stars took on the role of Ghostface in the franchise’s many sequels. The masked killer who later became known as Ghostface first appeared in the inaugural slasher film. The first film follows Sidney Prescott — played by Neave (…)
What does Melissa Barrera’s coming out mean for Sam?
Before her dismissalBarrera discussed where she would like to see Sam’s story go.
“That’s one of the reasons when I read the script for Scream 5 I was so interested in the character. There’s so much potential here for where she could go with her mental health – she’s just unpredictable,” the actress told Digital spy in June 2023 “I find that darkness in her makes her much more interesting to play and to watch.”
Barrera continued, “She’s the hero, but she’s also kind of the villain. It’s this contradiction in her that I find fascinating and, if we were to do another one, I’d love to see. The writers have done a really good job with her up to this point, so I trust them to just know where to take her (in a way) that’s going to be unexpected and cool for the fans.”
Will there be new characters?
In November 2024 it was announced that 1883 star Isabel May will portray Sydney’s daughter in Vic VII. Details about the character, including her name and the identity of her father, have not been revealed.
One month later, Ghostbusters and Madam Webb star Celeste O’Connor joined the cast in an unspecified role.
