The iconic Core Four is back! Mason Gooding is officially set to return as Chad Meeks-Martin in the highly anticipated Scream 7, much to the excitement of fans. His character has become a beloved part of the Scream franchise, and the news of his return brings a sense of continuity to the series. Gooding’s portrayal of Chad has been both thrilling and engaging, and his survival in the previous films keeps viewers guessing about his fate in the upcoming installment.

In a surprising turn of events following the departure of both Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, fans were left wondering about the future of the “Core Four” in the next Scream sequel. However, recent reports from Variety confirm that Mason Gooding will reprise his role as Chad Meeks-Martin, ensuring that at least one familiar face will grace the screen in Scream 7. Meanwhile, Jasmin Savoy Brown, who portrays Chad’s sister Mindy, has yet to finalize her involvement, leaving fans eager for updates on the remaining core characters.

Chad Meeks-Martin has faced life-threatening situations throughout the last two Scream films but has miraculously managed to survive. This raises the question: will his surprising streak of luck continue in Scream 7? As the franchise is known for its thrilling twists and turns, audiences are left speculating about the challenges Chad will face next and whether he can evade the sinister forces that haunt the Scream universe.

Adding to the excitement, the upcoming sequel will also feature the return of Neve Campbell as the iconic Sidney Prescott. After a tumultuous negotiation period regarding her return for the sixth installment, where she felt undervalued, Campbell has officially signed on to rejoin the franchise. She expressed her dedication to the character and the series, stating, “As a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream.” Furthermore, Courteney Cox is expected to reprise her role as Gale Weathers, although her signing is still pending. There’s also potential for Patrick Dempsey to return as Mark Kincaid from Scream 3, adding further intrigue to the cast. Newcomers like Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Mckenna Grace, and Sam Rechner have also joined the ensemble, promising a fresh dynamic.

The initial vision for Scream 7 included the return of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega as Sam and Tara Carpenter, respectively. However, amidst controversy and a series of events, Barrera was dismissed from the project following her pro-Palestinian social media posts, leading to her exit. Shortly thereafter, Ortega also withdrew, initially cited as scheduling conflicts but later revealed to be due to a salary dispute with the studio. Fans are left pondering how these changes will impact the storyline and character dynamics going forward.

The behind-the-scenes drama didn’t stop there. Christopher Landon, known for Happy Death Day, was initially set to direct but stepped away, describing his experience as a “dream job that turned into a nightmare.” In a surprising pivot, the studio decided to bring in Kevin Williamson, the original screenwriter of the Scream franchise, to take the director’s chair. Neve Campbell expressed her excitement about this development, saying, “While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm.” With a release date set for February 27, 2026, anticipation for Scream 7 is reaching a fever pitch.

What are your thoughts on Mason Gooding’s return for Scream 7? Are you hoping to see more familiar faces, or do you think the sequel should focus on introducing new characters and storylines?