Scream and Scream VI star Melissa Barrera will reportedly not be returning for the upcoming Scream 7, it was first reported in this week’s digital issue of Variety magazine.
THR adds, “Filming had not begun, and development had been slow amid the actors and writers strikes. Now, Spyglass is expected to recalibrate plans following Barrera.”
Melissa Barrera’s Sam Carpenter is the leading member of the “Core Four,” the new group of survivor characters that have been leading this latest trilogy for the Scream franchise.
Sam Carpenter has been a particularly important character for the saga as she’s the daughter of original Scream killer Billy Loomis, and Barrerra was expected to return for Scream 7 alongside Jenna Ortega, Mason Gooding, and Jasmine Savoy Brown. Ortega’s involvement in Scream 7 is also up in the air at this time, with no confirmation she’ll be returning.
Stay tuned for more on this developing story as we learn it.
What we know about Scream 7 so far is that Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky) will be directing the upcoming slasher sequel for Spyglass and Paramount.
Scream and Scream VI directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Radio Silence) will remain on board as executive producers, as will Chad Villella.
Landon also wrote the second, third, fourth and seventh installments of the Paranormal Activity franchise, along with writing and directing Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. Needless to say, he’s got a highly respectable horror pedigree as he heads into Woodsboro, and his previous work proves he has the right sensibilities for the Scream saga.