Courteney Cox Returns for Scream 7

It has been announced that Courteney Cox has officially signed on for "Scream 7," reprising her role as the iconic Gale Weathers in the beloved horror franchise. Cox's character has been a central figure since the series' inception in 1996.

In September, Cox spoke about the upcoming franchise installment, saying, "I'm not officially signed on. I'm not, but there will be a ‘Scream 7.'" At the time, she expressed enthusiasm for the project but was awaiting a final script. What makes this installment particularly exciting for Cox is that it will mark Kevin Williamson's directorial debut in the franchise. Williamson, who wrote the script for the original "Scream," is regarded as one of the masterminds behind the series' success.

"You can't get better than that choice," Cox remarked about Williamson's involvement. "It's going to be fun."

While Cox is excited to reprise her role, she has also voiced disappointment over the death of Dewey Riley, played by David Arquette, in "Scream 5." Dewey's character had been a fan favorite since the first film, and his departure left a significant void. "I understand the reasons they did it, but whoa! Talk about a missed character," Cox said. "Dewey is so loved by ‘Scream' fans. They have to figure it out."

Mason Gooding is also confirmed to reprise his role as Chad Meeks-Martin. Isabel May has also joined the cast as the daughter of Sidney Prescott, a character famously portrayed by Neve Campbell. 

"Scream 7" is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, after navigating a series of setbacks. The film faced production delays, creative changes, and cast shakeups. Melissa Barrera, who starred in "Scream 5" and "Scream VI," was fired from the sequel following social media controversy. Jenna Ortega, another standout from the recent films, dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Season 2 of Netflix's "Wednesday." Christopher Landon, initially slated to direct, exited the project in December 2023, leading to Kevin Williamson stepping in as director. These challenges were compounded by the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, which further delayed production.

The "Scream" franchise, created by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven, began with the groundbreaking 1996 film that redefined the slasher genre. Known for its self-aware humor, suspense, and sharp social commentary, the series quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The original film and its sequels, "Scream 2" (1997), "Scream 3" (2000), and "Scream 4" (2011), cemented their place in horror history under Craven's direction.

Following Craven's passing in 2015, the franchise was revived with "Scream" (2022) and "Scream VI" (2023), with "Scream VI" becoming the highest-grossing installment earning over $108 million domestically and $900 million at the global box office.