Mason Gooding is reportedly returning for ‘Scream 7’.
The 28-year-old actor first joined the iconic horror franchise for the revival in 2022, before reprising his role as Chad Meeks-Martin in last year’s ‘Scream VI‘. The revival helped introduce the franchise to a new generation, with the sixth installment grossing over $168 million worldwide.
According to Variety, he is now set to return for the seventh installment in the series. This confirmation makes Gooding one of the few cast members officially attached to the project.
However, it’s believed Jasmin Savoy Brown – who played his sister Mindy – is yet to officially sign up for the sequel. The sibling dynamic between their characters has been praised by critics as one of the strongest elements of the recent films.
“If it could make money, I guarantee you, they’ll make it,” Gooding previously backed the film to get over the line when speaking about the various setbacks the production has faced – including cast members and the director leaving.
“It’s all about keeping up with what feels like is the best movie for the fans,” he told the outlet in March. “‘Scream’ doesn’t exist without the people who enjoy is as much as they do… If people want it, they will certainly try their best to see it happen.” The franchise has consistently maintained a strong fan following, with each new installment generating significant social media buzz.
Melissa Barrera had been on board to lead the film but she was fired in November 2023 over social media posts seen as antisemitic, and shortly afterwards, her co-star Jenna Ortega dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. These departures led to significant script rewrites and production delays.
“I’m not officially signed on. I’m not, but there will be a ‘Scream 7,'” Courteney Cox insisted in September when asked about her return as Gale Weathers in the movie. Cox has appeared in all six previous installments, making her character one of the series’ most enduring presences.
Filming is set to get underway this month in Atlanta, but Cox didn’t have a specific timeframe for making a decision about whether or not she’ll be involved. The production schedule suggests a potential release date in late 2024 or early 2025.
“They’re rewriting all the time. It’s not like I don’t know what’s going on,” she added. The constant script revisions are typical for the franchise, known for its ability to keep audiences guessing.
Whatever happens, Cox is hoping to see her ex-husband David Arquette return as Dewey Riley, despite his character being killed off in the 2022 ‘Scream’ revival. Arquette’s Dewey had been a fan favorite since the original 1996 film.
“I understand the reasons they did it, but whoa! Talk about a missed character. Dewey is so loved by ‘Scream’ fans. They have to figure it out,” she said. The franchise has occasionally brought back seemingly deceased characters through creative storytelling.
One original star who is confirmed to be returning is Neve Campbell as Sydney Prescott, and she’s delighted to be reuniting with filmmaker creator Kevin Williamson. Campbell’s return marks a significant shift after her absence from the sixth film due to salary negotiations.
“I’m super grateful that they came around on it. [‘Scream VI’] just didn’t feel right,” the ‘Party of Five’ actress previously admitted she found it “so satisfying” to be heard on her pay issue. “I couldn’t after this many decades of carrying a franchise, to feel undervalued and underpaid and to know that it wouldn’t have happened to a man in that way.”
“It just wouldn’t make sense for me to walk on that set. So, I’m glad I stood up for myself,” she noted she is “excited” for the “nuts” fandom to see what director Williamson has in store for them, while she played coy on the prospect of other returning cast members. The resolution of Campbell’s salary dispute has been widely praised as a victory for fair pay in Hollywood.
The seventh installment promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of blending horror with meta-commentary on the genre, while addressing contemporary social issues and fan expectations. With both returning veterans and newer cast members, ‘Scream 7’ aims to bridge multiple generations of horror fans.
