Returning to the world of horror, Scott Foley has recently shared his thoughts about stepping back into the 'Scream' franchise with the upcoming film, "Scream 7." Surprisingly, he admitted, "I hadn’t read the script" prior to his return. This admission raises eyebrows, suggesting an intriguing approach to his involvement in the series.
Foley, now 53, expressed his excitement about the project during an exclusive interview with The Post, sharing, "I don’t know the story; they just asked me to show up for a day. I’m so eager to see the film." This sentiment reflects a lighthearted yet enthusiastic attitude towards his participation.
Best known for his role as Roman Bridger in 2000’s "Scream 3," where he played the unmasked murderer who met his demise, Foley's return is somewhat puzzling given that his character was killed off. He noted, "My time on set was brief, but I got to walk through Sydney’s old house, and I saw Neve [Campbell] and David [Arquette]. It was wonderful to be back," highlighting the nostalgia and connection to the franchise that fans can appreciate.
The "Scream" franchise first burst onto the scene in 1996, captivating audiences with its unique blend of slasher horror and self-aware humor. It chronicles the struggles of Sydney Prescott (played by Campbell) and her circle of friends, who find themselves targeted by the infamous Ghostface killer – a mysterious figure clad in a scream mask. Each installment introduces a new face behind the mask, keeping viewers guessing.
In the original movie, Mathew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich portrayed the original killers, Stu and Billy, while Foley's character was revealed as the antagonist in the third chapter. Interestingly, Lillard will also be reprising his role, despite the apparent death of his character in the earlier films. He expressed his nerves about returning, stating, "I’m nervous because at this point in my life, the only thing I can do is sort of ruin how people consider Stu. Especially if I come back and I suck or I was lame." Although he didn't elaborate on the logistics of his character's return, he acknowledged, "I haven’t seen the movie yet. I don’t know if it works, but it’s a risk. And it’s a risk that I was excited to take."
The production of "Scream 7" has experienced significant changes, particularly following the departures of original stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. Barrera was dismissed in November 2023 due to a controversial social media post regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Ortega explained in an April interview that her exit closely followed Barrera’s situation, saying, "If ‘Scream VII’ wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me in my career at the time."
Ulrich mentioned in December that he would have considered returning if Barrera and Ortega had remained part of the cast, as Barrera's character was linked to his own. "I’ve been vocal about that. I’m not. When we talked about coming back for 5, it was a three-picture arc for Billy Loomis to slowly turn his daughter into the killer. Obviously, those things didn’t pan out, given certain things that happened. But, no, I know nothing about the seventh."
Kevin Williamson, the original screenwriter for the first "Scream" film, is set to direct the seventh installment. He expressed his enthusiasm for returning, stating, "Oh, it’s been awesome [to return]. I’ve always been on the fringes of the last few ‘Scream’ movies, as sort of the granddaddy of the franchise.” When asked about Lillard’s role, Williamson playfully responded, "Nothing. Not one word," emphasizing the secrecy surrounding the production.
Reflecting on the behind-the-scenes turmoil involving Barrera and Ortega, Williamson remarked, "Watching that all go down, and I’m not even sure what happened. I can’t really speak to it, because I wasn’t a part of it."
Fans can look forward to "Scream 7," which is scheduled to hit theaters on February 27. Will the latest installment live up to the legacy of its predecessors? With such a mix of returning characters and behind-the-scenes changes, the anticipation builds for what could be another thrilling chapter in the iconic series.
