The future of the Scream franchise is currently uncertain following the collapse of Scream 7 after the firing of actress Melissa Barrera. However, it has been revealed that there were original plans for the sequel that could have taken the story in an intriguing direction. Franchise star Skeet Ulrich shared details of a three-movie story arc that was pitched to him, involving his character, Billy Loomis, and Melissa Barrera's character, Sam Carpenter.
Ulrich disclosed that the proposed story arc would have delved into Sam's murderous instincts, which are linked to her father, Billy, portrayed by Ulrich in the first Scream film and as visions in Sam's mind in the subsequent installments. The actor expressed his hope for this storyline to be explored, emphasizing the impact it could have on the plot.
Despite these initial plans, the likelihood of Scream 7 following this direction seems slim due to a series of setbacks that have plagued the production. Barrera's dismissal from the film in November due to controversial social media posts was a significant blow. Subsequently, Jenna Ortega, who played Barrera's on-screen sister, also had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts.
Further complicating matters, director Christopher Landon, who was set to helm the project, also departed, citing the project as a 'dream project that turned into a nightmare.' The stress surrounding the franchise since Barrera's exit has been palpable.
As of now, there have been no major updates on Scream 7, except for Spyglass Media's interest in potentially bringing back Neve Campbell and Patrick Dempsey to the franchise. Campbell, who has been part of the series since 1996, has expressed openness to a return but emphasized the need for fair compensation.
Scream VI is currently available for streaming on Paramount+. The future of the franchise remains uncertain, but fans are eager to see how the story will unfold in future installments.
