The upcoming film, Scream 7, will mark the return of veteran actress Neve Campbell, but its initial storyline was quite different. According to actor Skeet Ulrich, who portrayed the notorious killer Billy Loomis in the original 1996 film, the sequel was originally intended to conclude a trilogy that began with 2022’s Scream. In this original vision, his character’s daughter, Sam Carpenter, would have taken on the iconic Ghostface mantle.
In a recent interview, Ulrich discussed his potential return to the franchise during promotions for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. He revealed to Entertainment Weekly, “When we talked about coming back for Scream 5, it was a three-picture arc for Billy Loomis to slowly turn his daughter into the killer.” He went on to clarify that the plans for his character’s involvement have since changed, stating, “Obviously, those things didn’t pan out, given certain things that happened. But, no, I know nothing about the seventh.”
Despite meeting his demise in the first film, where he faced off against Campbell’s character, Sydney Prescott, Ulrich’s return was envisioned in a different light. The current directorial team, Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, opted to include Billy in ghost form to assist his daughter, played by Melissa Barrera, as she navigates the challenges of a new generation of Ghostface attacks.
Originally, the narrative for Scream 7 aimed to culminate with Sam embracing her dark legacy by becoming Ghostface herself. Unfortunately, various scheduling conflicts and controversies behind the scenes led to significant changes. This resulted in the departure of both Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin, along with cast members Barrera and Jenna Ortega.
Now under the direction of Kevin Williamson, Scream 7 is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. Fans of the franchise are eager to see how the story unfolds, especially considering the drastic shift from its original plotline. The evolution of these characters, especially Sam’s journey, presents an intriguing prospect for audiences looking forward to the next installment. As the franchise continues to develop, it remains to be seen how the legacy of Ghostface will be carried forward.