Scream VI just released, but there are already multiple sources claiming Scream 7 has been greenlit and will shoot this year. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, with Scream VI poised to have the biggest opening weekend of the franchise. With the quick turnaround time between Scream 5 and Scream VI, some fans may be wondering what the Scream 7 release date may be, what plot the next film will follow, and if Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) will return. Fear not, we’re going to explore all of those topics right now.

SCREAM 7 RELEASE DATE TIMING

First let’s dive into when Scream 7 could potentially release. There’s a good chance Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group will follow a similar production cadence to Scream VI. The script for Scream 7 should be completed sometime this Fall. Filming could start shortly after the script is done. Principal photography will likely last around three months, meaning it should conclude in late 2023, or very early in 2024.

At this point you’re probably just assuming Paramount will aim for a March 2024 release date to mimic the success of the March 10, 2023 release date for Scream VI. However, taking a look at the current March 2024 release calendar, it’s already very crowded. While Paramount could try to muscle its way in, some heavy hitters are lined up. Disney’s animated film, Elio drops on March 1, 2024, followed by A Quiet Place: Day One and Kung Fu Panda 4 on March 8, then Godzilla vs. Kong 2 on March 15, the live-action Snow White remake on March 22, and finally Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse on March 29.

It’s unlikely Paramount will want to go head-to-head with any of those films, not to mention the lack of solid second and third weekends with so many blockbusters releasing in close proximity. A more likely scenario would see Paramount opt for a February or April 2024 release instead. February could be cutting it close depending on when filming wraps (they still have to edit the movie), but early to mid-April is relatively clear. Mid-April would give Beyond the Spider-Verse room to perform, while also staying clear of Marvel’s Captain America: New World Order, which arrives on May 3, 2024.

Now what will the plot of Scream 7 focus on? There are a number of plot threads the writers could focus on for Scream 7, but we’ll cover the main story arcs that seem most likely. That means there are spoilers for Scream VI ahead!!!

WILL NEVE CAMPBELL RETURN?

Of course, everyone is asking if Sidney Prescott will return in Scream 7. Neve Campbell has gone back and forth on whether or not she would return, but it’s at least a possibility. The creative team behind the franchise has been clear that they would welcome Campbell back with open arms if she decides to return. Fans won’t have to wait long though. If Paramount is shooting Scream 7 this year, the writers must start the script very soon. They’ll need to know if Sidney is in or not.

Looking at some of the other legacy characters, Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), and Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) are both very likely to return. Whether we end up with all three legacy characters, or just Gale and Kirby, at least one of them is likely to die. Gale seems the most prone to death, especially given her relatively small role in Scream 7. With the film focusing on the younger cast members. Kirby fits in a bit better with that crowd, and having an FBI agent around opens up more plot options in Scream 7 and possibly even Scream 8 (we all know it’s coming).

Then there’s the never-ending fan theory that Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) is still alive and will eventually return. The writers have clearly considered Stu dead, but they’ve also said to never say never. Lillard has been vocal about returning, so we know he’s game. It’s really just a matter of what fits into the larger story here.

SCREAM 7 PLOT THEORIES

One plot point that has been teased a bit is the mother of Sam and Tara Carpenter. The character has ties to Billy Loomis. She was also briefly mentioned in both Scream 5 and VI. In fact, in Scream VI we learned that she’s now estranged from her daughters thanks mostly to Sam’s actions. That sounds like a pretty good motive for murder, especially in the Scream franchise.

Does that move the location of Scream 7 back to Woodsboro? That’s certainly possible, but one thing to note is that Scream 5 was essentially a remake of the original Scream, while Scream VI was very similar to Scream 2. If Paramount continues that trend, it could mean that Scream 7 will mimic Scream 3, and that would have it taking place in Hollywood, CA.

Gale wrote a new book between Scream 5 and Scream VI, something that got her punched in the face by Tara. It would be very Scream-like to see Gale’s book optioned for the next Stab movie, bringing her out to Hollywood again. Then you bring in the Core Four (Sam, Tara, Chad, and Mindy) to consult on the project, and suddenly you have everyone in Hollywood and ready to get carved up by the next Ghostface.

So who do you think the next Ghostface will be? Will Neve Campbell return to the Scream franchise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, or on Twitter @ThatHashTagShow.

For more Scream content, be sure to keep an eye on That Hashtag Show.

KEEP READING:

Scream VI – Inventive And Terrifying Once Again [Spoiler-Free Review]