Scream 7 Trailer Ignites Fan Frenzy (and Boycotts!)

The first look at Scream 7 is finally here, with Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott back in action against Ghostface. But while some fans are hyped for the original scream queen's return, others are still furious over the exits of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega.

TL;DR: Quick Takes on the New Scream Installment

• The first trailer for Scream 7 dropped, showcasing Neve Campbell's return as Sidney Prescott and introducing her daughter, Tatum.
• Original screenwriter Kevin Williamson directs, and Courteney Cox is back, alongside some surprising (and deceased!) fan favorites.
• Fan backlash and boycotts continue after Melissa Barrera's firing and Jenna Ortega's subsequent exit, sparking heated online debate.

Ghostface Calls Again: The First Scream 7 Trailer Drops

Well, hello Sidney! After much anticipation (and, let's be honest, a whole lot of drama), the first official trailer for Scream 7 has finally landed, sending chills down the spines of horror fans everywhere. The big news? Neve Campbell is back as the legendary "final girl" Sidney Prescott, and it looks like Ghostface is ready to torment her all over again, this time with a very personal target: her teenage daughter, Tatum.

The trailer hit the internet, and instantly, it was clear that Spyglass Media Group and Paramount Pictures are trying to bring the franchise back to its roots. You've got Sidney, living a quiet life away from the horrors of Woodsboro, only for Ghostface to show up in her "nice little town," reminding her of where they grew up. "Did you miss me?" the iconic voice taunts, signaling that the nightmare is far from over.

This seventh installment is set to slash its way into theaters on February 27, 2026, and if the trailer is any indication, it's going to be a wild ride. Sidney, once again joined by Courteney Cox's ever-resilient reporter Gale Weathers, finds herself teaching her daughter the ropes of surviving a masked killer. The stakes are higher than ever, and it seems Ghostface isn't just looking for kills; he's looking to "burn it all down."

A Legacy Reclaimed: Neve Campbell and Familiar Faces Return

After sitting out Scream VI due to a reported pay dispute, Neve Campbell's return as Sidney Prescott is arguably the biggest news surrounding Scream 7. For many, Sidney is the franchise, much like Laurie Strode is to Halloween. Her absence from the previous film left a void, and fans have been clamoring for her comeback. It seems Spyglass listened, offering Campbell a "strong" deal to reprise her role and anchor the series once more.

But Sidney isn't alone. Courteney Cox is also returning as the fierce and determined Gale Weathers, ready to team up with Sidney once more to unmask the new Ghostface. We last saw Gale surviving a brutal attack in Scream VI, proving that some characters are just too tough to die easily!

The trailer also teases some incredible surprises for long-time fans. Get ready to see the return of Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks-Martin and Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks-Martin, the surviving twins from the recent revival films. But here's where it gets really wild: several characters who met grisly ends in previous films are expected to return. That's right, David Arquette (Dewey Riley), Matthew Lillard (Stu Macher), and Scott Foley (Roman Bridger from Scream 3) are all listed among the returning cast members. While the "how" remains a mystery—perhaps flashbacks, hallucinations, or the franchise's signature meta-commentary on horror tropes—it's a move that has everyone talking. And yes, Roger L. Jackson is back to lend his chilling voice to Ghostface, because who else could it be?

"I have made it very clear... that Sidney has been through so much torment, and she has been through so much trauma, that to give her anything less than a happy ending is mean. It's just sacrilegious."

— Kevin Williamson, Original Screenwriter and Scream 7 Director

Behind the Scream: A Director's Return and Creative Shake-Ups

Taking the director's chair for Scream 7 is none other than Kevin Williamson, the original screenwriter and co-creator of the franchise. Williamson penned the scripts for the original Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, and directed the 1999 dark comedy thriller Teaching Mrs. Tingle. His return to direct a Scream film is a huge deal for many purists, promising a return to the franchise's clever, self-aware horror roots. He co-wrote the script for Scream 7 with horror scribe Guy Busick.

Williamson's return comes after a significant amount of behind-the-scenes turbulence. The project saw a complete creative overhaul following some high-profile departures. Christopher Landon (known for Happy Death Day) was initially slated to direct but eventually dropped out, calling it a "dream job that turned into a nightmare."

These changes were largely sparked by the exits of the previous two film's stars, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. Barrera, who played Sam Carpenter, was fired in November 2023 by Spyglass Media Group over her social media posts regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Spyglass stated they have "zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech." Barrera had made comments criticizing "Western media" and "atrocities being committed against Palestinians."

Following Barrera's firing, Jenna Ortega, who played her onscreen sister Tara Carpenter, also exited the project. While initial reports cited scheduling conflicts with Netflix's Wednesday, Ortega later clarified that the decision was also influenced by the "Melissa stuff" and the project "falling apart." She noted that if Scream 7 wasn't going to be with "that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn't seem like the right move for me." These departures fundamentally changed the direction of the film, leading to the return of Campbell and Williamson.

New Blood and Homages: What the Trailer Hints At

While the previous "core four" of Sam and Tara Carpenter won't be back, Scream 7 introduces some exciting new characters. Isabel May (from 1883) joins the cast as Sidney's daughter, Tatum. This name is a touching nod to Sidney's best friend, Tatum Riley (played by Rose McGowan), who was tragically killed by Ghostface in the original 1996 film. Joel McHale joins as Sidney's cop husband, further expanding her new life that Ghostface aims to shatter.

Other newcomers rounding out the cast include Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos, and Ethan Embry. One scene in the trailer even hints at a potential kill for Michelle Randolph's character at Stu Macher's house, falling onto Ghostface's knife. But hey, in the Scream universe, a death in a trailer doesn't always mean a definitive exit!

Intriguingly, many fans are noticing a distinct tonal shift in the trailer, with some comparing it to the recent Halloween reboots. The new Ghostface appears more precise, relentless, and almost supernatural, moving less like a human and more like the iconic Michael Myers. Sidney's new white house, her daughter walking down a suburban street, Ghostface's infamous "sit-up," and even a shot of Ghostface engulfed in flames all evoke strong Halloween vibes. This could be a deliberate meta-commentary, a hallmark of the Scream franchise, channeling a totemic slasher text while going "back to basics" after all these years.

Fan Fury and the Ongoing Boycott Movement

Despite the excitement surrounding Campbell's return and the classic vibe of the trailer, a significant portion of the fanbase remains vocal in their opposition to Scream 7. The firing of Melissa Barrera in particular has fueled an ongoing boycott movement, with many fans refusing to support the new film.

Social media has been ablaze with comments like "This is missing two very important women…" and "We will not be supporting because of what Spyglass did to Melissa Barrera!" The Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement has also joined a grassroots effort against the sequel, with 22 arts and advocacy organizations participating.

Fans are actively encouraging support for Barrera's other projects, such as 2024's YOUR MONSTER (streaming on HBO Max and Hulu) and The Copenhagen Test, set to premiere on December 27th. There are even calls to "Boycott Scream 7 and support Scary Movie 6 instead," a humorous nod to the horror parody series that originally spoofed Scream.

This deep divide within the fanbase presents a unique challenge for Scream 7. While bringing back Neve Campbell and Kevin Williamson aims to appease long-time fans, the strong political and ethical stance of many viewers means the film is launching into a very different cultural landscape than its predecessors.

The Road Ahead for Scream 7: When and Where to Catch the Action

So, after all the drama, the returns, and the fresh blood, Scream 7 is officially on its way. Get ready to head to your local cinema on February 27, 2026, to see if Sidney Prescott can finally put an end to Ghostface's reign of terror once and for all. Or, knowing Scream, perhaps it's just the beginning of a whole new chapter of meta-horror mayhem.

With Kevin Williamson at the helm and Neve Campbell back as the ultimate final girl, there’s a strong promise of a return to the franchise’s witty, self-referential horror. But the shadow of the cast changes and the ongoing fan boycotts will undoubtedly be a part of Scream 7's story, both on and off-screen. Will it manage to win back the hearts of all horror fans, or will the controversy continue to haunt its release? Only time (and the box office numbers) will tell!

Frequently Asked Questions About Scream 7

When does Scream 7 officially release in theaters?

Scream 7 is set to hit theaters on February 27, 2026.

Who is directing Scream 7?

The original screenwriter and co-creator of the franchise, Kevin Williamson, is directing Scream 7. He co-wrote the script with Guy Busick.

Why aren't Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega in Scream 7?

Melissa Barrera was fired by Spyglass Media Group over social media posts regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Jenna Ortega subsequently exited the project, citing scheduling conflicts with her show Wednesday and the overall production "falling apart" after Barrera's departure.

Which original cast members are returning for Scream 7?

Neve Campbell (Sidney Prescott) and Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers) are confirmed to return. Additionally, the trailer and reports tease the return of "deceased characters" like David Arquette (Dewey Riley), Matthew Lillard (Stu Macher), and Scott Foley (Roman Bridger), likely in a meta-context. Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin) and Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin) from the recent films are also back, along with Roger L. Jackson as the voice of Ghostface.

Who is playing Sidney Prescott's daughter in Scream 7?

Rising star Isabel May will play Sidney Prescott's teenage daughter, Tatum, a name chosen to honor Sidney's late friend Tatum Riley from the original film.

Sources

• Various News Outlets (Deadline, Variety, The Independent, ScreenRant, TheMovieBox, The Hollywood Reporter, IMDb News)