Scream 7 could be the biggest iteration in the franchise yet, but a recent casting announcement means a major franchise replacement can’t happen. While Scream has become somewhat formulaic since its 1996 debut, each movie continues to expertly deliver upon the element of surprise that has become synonymous with the franchise. Details about the plot of Scream 7 remain undisclosed at this time, but director Kevin Williamson’s upcoming project is slated for 2026. However, there have been extensive discussions about the cast list for Scream 7. One recent announcement, however, means that Scream 7 has squandered a wonderful opportunity.

Scream 6 continued the story behind the popular franchise and set the tone for the succeeding movies following the death of beloved character Dewey in Scream 6. After Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega’s exits, Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott is back as the lead of Scream 7, indicating that the franchise is likely to turn the focus back towards its remaining legacy characters. The time jump will leave Scream 7 with a major challenge, and the confirmation that Joel McHale joined Scream 7 will play Sidney’s husband, Mark Evans, exacerbates this greatly.

Scream 7 Misses The Chance To Properly Replace Dewey & Gale With The Casting Of Sidney’s Husband

Patrick Dempsey Starred As Detective Mark Kincaid In Scream 3

Not only could Mark Kincaid have replaced Dewey in Scream 7, but the detective’s relationship with Sidney would’ve had the perfect opportunity to replace Gale and Dewey. Gale and Dewey’s romance began in 1996’s Scream, before their engagement at the end of the third movie. Their marriage lasted fourteen years before the couple were divorced during the events of Scream 6. After surviving the Ghostface attack in Scream 6, Courteney Cox is confirmed to be in the new installment. Taking into consideration David Arquette’s absence in the series’ future, the franchise’s main couple could have shifted to Sidney and Mark Kincaid.

However, it has been confirmed that Scream 7 will not be moving forward with Mark Kincaid, as implied in Scream 5. Kincaid being married to a legacy character from Scream would have made him a perfect addition to the cast. There would have also been more inclination to embrace Kincaid as the new core couple because of Sidney’s position as one of the only surviving members of Scream‘s original trio. Viewers may have quickly gained a strong connection with Sidney and Mark Kincaid due to his previous role in the franchise — a nostalgia element that the slasher can no longer benefit from after McHale’s casting.

Joel McHale’s Scream 7 Casting Confirms That Sidney Didn’t Marry Mark Kincaid

One Theory From Scream 5 Has Been Completely Discredited

Patrick Dempsey featured in Scream 3, in which Dempsey portrayed Mark Kincaid, a detective investigating the murders of the new Ghostface killer. For the greater part of the film, Kincaid was a suspect until the story’s resolution, where he was cleared of charges and can be seen trying to help Sidney during the film’s final act alongside Dewey and Gale. Sidney and the homicide detective were clearly on good terms by the end of Scream 3, but their romantic relationship was not alluded to until two films later. In 2022’s Scream, Sidney mentions her children and husband, “Mark,” during a call with Dewey, but that’s now Joel McHale’s Mark Evans.

Until now, it has been heavily speculated that this figure was Dempsey’s Mark Kincaid from the third film. These rumors have been amplified by Dempsey, who had hinted towards his reprisal of Kincaid in Scream 7. Speaking on the Today show, Dempsey revealed (via ᴅᴇᴀᴅline), “I’m waiting on the script,” but conversations about his potential return to the slasher franchise have already taken place. Kincaid returning to Scream 7 would have made sense given Sidney’s central storyline, and his profession in the L.A. police department would have provided him with an ideal segue into the new story.

Sidney & Gale Being The Focus In Scream 7 Is Still Exciting

Gale’s Storyline May Become Far More Interesting In Scream 7

Sidney Prescott and Gale Weathers becoming the focus in Scream 7 is still incredibly exciting, regardless of the new announcement. Gale’s role is now left wide open following the events of Scream 6, which will hopefully refresh things for her character in Scream 7. It will also finally provide Gale with a new purpose following the death of Dewey in Scream 6, even more so after her insignificant role in the last installment. Returning to basics with Sidney and Gale as the film’s leads is necessary given the events of the last movie, but even more so because the stakes are higher for Gale in the upcoming movie.

Of course, these plans will only apply if Scream 7 keeps Gale alive. Gale came very close to death in Scream 6 when she became one of Ghostface’s victims before she was saved by Sam and Tara. Scream 6‘s attack left Gale in hospital for the film’s length, consequently making her more susceptible to dying in Scream 7. This could mirror the death of her lifelong love interest, Dewey. It seems unlikely for the next movie to kill off Sidney as the main legacy character, but it will be interesting to see the direction for her in Scream 7.

Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline

Scream 7

Release Date

February 27, 2026

Main Genre

Horror

Cast

Neve Campbell
, Courteney Cox
, Mason Gooding
, Jasmin Savoy Brown
, Joel McHale
, Asa Germann

Director

Kevin Williamson

Studio

Paramount Pictures

Franchise

Scream

Studio(s)

Spyglᴀss Media Group

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Streaming

Scream
, Scream 2
, Scream 3
, Scream 4
, Scream
, Scream 6

<ʙuттon type="ʙuттon" class="show-more-new icon i-chevron-down-solid">Expand