Scream 7 is currently shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, and whilst things seem to be going smoothly, two recent casting announcements have taken fans by surprise.
First, we have the news that Community star Joel McHale has joined the film. McHale was quickly revealed to be playing Mark Evans, the husband of Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott.
The news quickly caused a furore online, as Scream fans had hoped Grey’s Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey would be filling the role. Dempsey had been circling Scream 7 for some time, with fans hoping he would reprise his role as Detective Mark Kincaid, last seen in 2000’s Scream 3.
Although never stated on screen, it has become a long-held fan believe that Sidney Prescott and Mark Kincaid married and had a family. However, McHale will now replace Dempsey in the husband role, portraying a different “Mark” altogether.
Whilst McHale is said to be “thrilled” to join the Scream series, Dempsey has yet to comment on why he walked away from the movie. However, a trusted source tells us that salary negotiations between Dempsey and the studio hit a stumbling block.
In further surprising news, we learned that Jasmin Savoy Brown will reprise her role as Mindy Meeks-Martin in Scream 7.
Brown was undoubtedly one of the most popular actors introduced during the Radio Silence era, with her return news being warmly received. The actress joins her on-screen brother Chad, portrayed by Mason Gooding, as the only newer characters from Scream 5 and VI to return. Previously, Brown had ruled out the possibility of a return to the franchise, following the firing of her co-star Melissa Barrera. Barrera was dismissed from Scream 7 in November 2023, whilst the film was still in early development. Whilst it’s unlikely the actress will return anytime soon; fans are at least glad that Brown has changed her stance.
Scream 7 is currently filming under the direction of Kevin Williamson, and will star Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Asa Germann, Sam Rechner, and Celeste O’Connor, in addition to the already mentioned names.
The film is expected to hit theatres on February 27th 2026.
