Mason Gooding is confirmed as the first returning member from the Scream franchise’s Core Four.
Gooding is set to reprise his role as Chad Meeks-Martin in Scream 7 for Spyglass Entertainment and Paramount Pictures. The new film in the slasher series is set to hit theaters on Feb. 27, 2026.
For Scream 7, the actor joins fellow franchise returnee Neve Campbell, alongside new castmembers Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace and Sam Rechner. Kevin Williamson, who penned the original Scream that hit theaters in 1996, is helming the new movie from a script by Guy Busick.
Gooding can currently be seen in this month’s A24 theatrical release Y2K alongside Rachel Zegler. In February, Sony releases Heart Eyes, in which he stars opposite Olivia Holt.
Scream’s so-called Core Four refers to the four new castmembers who joined the franchise for the revitalizing title Scream in 2022, which was followed by last year’s Scream VI. Of the other three members, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega are not returning, while there has been no confirmation on Jasmin Savoy Brown coming back.
Barrera was fired from the franchise last year following social media posts addressing the Israel-Hamas war, and Ortega had quietly exited the project months earlier. In the wake of these exits, the installment’s original director Christopher Landon announced that he was stepping away.
Serving as producers for Scream 7 are Project X Entertainment’s James Vanderbilt, William Sherak and Paul Neinstein. The Scream franchise has collectively surpassed $900 million at the worldwide box office.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter from earlier this year, Barrera remained open to reprising her role as Sam Carpenter. The actress explained at the time, “I’ve learned to never say never, but also a lot of things would have to happen for Sam to come back.”
Variety was first to report on Gooding returning for Scream 7.
