Neve Campbell back for ‘Scream 7,’ Kevin Williamson to direct

Neve Campbell really does like scary movies.

After skipping out on Scream VI due to a salary dispute, the Sidney Prescott actress is returning to the Scream franchise she helped launch in 1996.

“Hi All. I’m so excited to announce this news!!! Sidney Prescott is coming back!!!!” Campbell posted on Instagram on Tuesday along with a cover page for an “Untitled Scream 7″ script. “It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the Scream movies. My appreciation for these films and for what they have meant to me, has never waned.”

“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! Well actually I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented [Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin] team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct Scream 7!” she continued, announcing the screenwriter of Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4 will helm this new addition to the film series, taking over from Christopher Landon, who announced his departure in December. “This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years. To the amazing Scream fans, I hope you are as excited as I am. See you on set @kevwilliamson.”

Williamson reposted Campbell’s photo along with a caption of his own: “It’s been nearly 30 years since my very first script, Scream, was directed by the legendary Wes Craven. I never would have predicted what it would become. Or that I would be directing the seventh installment of the franchise. I am overcome with gratitude and excitement, and I can’t wait to take this journey with Neve and the entire Scream family as we bring back Sidney Prescott in the next chapter of the Scream franchise. Thank you to all the Scream fans. You are the gift that keeps giving. @nevecampbell See you on set. @guybusick @officialxpe @spyglassmediagr.”

EW can also report that Guy Busick will fly solo as screenwriter for Scream 7, as screenwriter of 2022’s Scream and Scream VI co-writer, James Vanderbilt, is on location directing Nuremberg. Vanderbilt will continue to produce alongside his Project X Entertainment partners William Sherak and Paul Neinstein and Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin’s Radio Silence will serve as executive producers.

Campbell returns to the series after the departure of 2022’s Scream and Scream 6 leading ladies Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. In November, EW confirmed that production company Spyglass Media Group had dropped Barrera from the seventh Scream movie after she posted a series of social media posts expressing support for the Palestinian cause and criticizing Israeli actions since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, Ortega will not be appear in Scream 7 due to a scheduling conflict.

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