Scream 7’s Original Ghostface Plan Before Melissa Barrera’s Firing Revealed (& It Sucks It Won’t Happen)

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The upcoming movie Scream 7 will be very different from what was originally planned, especially considering the recent changes. Originally, the film was intended to conclude the storyline that began with the 2022 Scream and focused on sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter. However, after Melissa Barrera was fired and Jenna Ortega left the project, along with a change in directors, the story has shifted. Now, Scream 7, set to release on February 26, 2026, will bring Neve Campbell back as Sidney Prescott, a change from the previous plan. These events forced filmmakers to rethink the direction of the sequel.

The planned storyline for Sam and Tara won’t be completed due to a change in direction for the series. Skeet Ulrich, who played Ghostface (Billy Loomis) in the original Scream and is also Sam Carpenter’s father, explained to Entertainment Weekly what would have happened with their conflict involving Ghostface. While he won’t be returning for Scream 7 – the story has shifted too much – Ulrich shared that his character’s connection to Sam would have taken a compelling and unexpected turn if the original plans had moved forward. The recent films, Scream (2022) and Scream 6, explored Sam’s internal struggles with her father’s legacy, which both troubled and influenced her.

Originally, the plan for the fifth Scream movie involved a three-film story arc where Billy Loomis’s daughter would gradually become the new killer, as explained by Ulrich. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, that idea didn’t come to fruition. He also confirmed he has no knowledge of a seventh Scream film.

Sam Becoming Ghostface Would Have Taken Scream 7 in a Fresh New Direction

Most Scream movies follow a predictable pattern, so the initial idea for Scream 7 was a welcome change. Throughout the original films, while different people have played Ghostface, the main character, Sidney, has always remained a purely heroic figure – and it’s difficult to envision that ever changing. Her unwavering goodness is a key part of her appeal. It’s understandable why that storyline was abandoned when the sequel’s direction shifted, but even if Scream 7 escalates the conflict between Sidney and Ghostface, the decision to revert to a more familiar formula feels a bit underwhelming.

With that earlier plot point in mind, the rest of Sam’s story could have been much more shocking, even though many fans predicted the villain’s identity. This would have created a unique Ghostface reveal and allowed for a deeper exploration of the killers’ motivations in the final movie. It would have also been compelling to see how Tara reacted to her sister’s choices, potentially opening up opportunities for future installments. While Scream 8 is still planned, the series now needs to find a new direction – and it might be difficult to recapture the impact of past twists without another truly surprising development.

Scream’s Upcoming Sequel Is Under More Pressure Than Ever to Rejuvenate the Franchise

Bringing back the Scream series was a challenge to begin with, but Scream 5 and 6 managed to successfully revive it, which is rare for older franchises. It’s hard to continue a series years later and still keep audiences engaged while also honoring what fans loved about the originals. Scream 7 faces an even bigger hurdle, especially since viewers have mixed feelings about the recent plot twists and changes. With the studio wanting to make even more films, there’s a lot riding on getting the next installment right. The writers will need a truly shocking twist – something on par with revealing Sidney Prescott as Ghostface – to pull it off, and it’s unclear if they can deliver.

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2025-12-08 19:41