Patrick Dempsey Won’t Be in ‘Scream 7’ After All

Patrick Dempsey couldn’t work Scream 7 into his schedule.

59-year-old actor once portrayed Det. Mark Kincaid in the third slasher film series back in 1996, and has been eager to reprise his role for the upcoming movie scheduled for release in February 2026. However, he found it challenging to confirm his participation due to the ongoing struggles with wildfires in L.A., which made it difficult for him to commit at that time.

In a candid conversation with Variety, I shared my thoughts: “Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances such as wildfires and other unpredictable events, our production schedule fell apart.

Earlier this year, Kevin Williamson has confirmed filming is underway on Scream 7.

The 59-year-old director behind the original 1996 Scream movie and the second and fourth films in the successful horror series is working on the seventh installment. He recently hinted that he had an “outstanding day” at work, even though he was warned not to share anything about the film online.

On Instagram, he posted a clapperboard with the caption: “I’m not allowed to talk about Scream, but I hope Spyglass Media Group and Paramount Pictures will understand that when you have an extraordinary day, it’s tough to keep it a secret.

Today was truly exceptional, working alongside a remarkable group of actors and production team. Each one of them delivered top-notch performance and stood by me throughout the process.

The creator of “Dawson’s Creek” later honored the franchise’s founding director, Wes Craven, who passed away from a brain tumor in 2015 at the age of 76, by expressing that he was constantly on his mind.

He expressed: “I am incredibly thankful for this chance, and throughout it all, Wes Craven was constantly on my mind. His influence on my life and career has been immeasurable. What an incredible day! I’m excitedly looking forward to tomorrow! #scream7

It was verified last year that Courteney Cox, aged 60, who played a role in the hit series “Friends,” is set to reprise her character Gale Weather, and Neve Campbell will return as Sidney Prescott.

Actress Anna Camp, recognized for her performances in “True Blood” and “Pitch Perfect,” has joined the cast as one of the latest members.

She unites with fellow newbies Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner, and Isabel May, who portrays Sidney Prescott’s daughter in the production.

In 2022, Mason Gooding made his debut as Chad Meeks-Martin in the revival of Scream. He will reprise this role again in Scream VI, set to release in 2023. Additionally, Gooding is set to return as Chad Meeks-Martin in Scream 7 as well.

The 13 Most Underrated Horror Movies of the 21st Century

Constantine (2005)

In 2005, Francis Lawrence’s film “Constantine” was released and initially met with criticism for its somber spiritual tension, as well as fan dissatisfaction over Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of the blonde cockney character John Constantine as a dark-haired West Coast American. However, in the years that followed, the movie has developed a cult following.

“Constantine” stands out from any other comic book superhero film before or after, with its metaphysical and unsettling visual style adding depth to a tale about a sorcerer fighting demons while struggling to avoid eternal damnation. The film features Tilda Swinton as a gender-neutral angel seeking vengeance, Peter Stormare as a vulgar Lucifer, and Rachel Weisz delivering a stellar performance in the stereotypical “girlfriend” role, proving her talent alone. Given that many superhero stories today feel formulaic, it’s worth revisiting “Constantine,” especially since Tilda Swinton, Peter Stormare, and Rachel Weisz deliver captivating performances that breathe life into this unique film.

30 Days of Night (2007)

When it comes to overlooked vampire films, “30 Days of Night” might just be the unsung hero of the past century. While it’s not the greatest film ever produced, it certainly surpasses expectations. An intriguing premise – vampires assault an Alaskan town during its prolonged winter darkness – paired with some unexpected casting decisions – Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Ben Foster, Danny Huston – results in a unique and imaginative movie that challenges conventional vampire movie tropes. It’s incredibly gory and consistently tense, making it an excellent choice for those chilly, midwinter evenings.

Fright Night (2011)

Discussing exceptional horror remakes that have left a lasting impact, it’s important not to overlook Craig Gillespie’s updated take on the 1985 suburban vampire film “Fright Night”. In this modern adaptation, Colin Farrell assumes the role of the menacing villain Jerry Dandridge, while Anton Yelchin portrays his teenage horror enthusiast adversary Charley. Imogen Poots takes on the part of Charley’s girlfriend, and David Tennant, previously known for Doctor Who, appears as a charismatic TV personality who specializes in occult matters, amassing silver bullets and holy water vials. The film cleverly transposes the setting to a Las Vegas suburb, an ideal location for a wandering vampire, and skillfully leverages Farrell’s allure at his most attractive as a bad boy to create both entertaining and spine-tingling thrills in the world of vampires.

Creep (2014) Creep 2 (2017)

The “Creep” movies directed by Patrick Brice and starring Mark Duplass, who portrays a sinister serial killer, should be regarded as a set. The sequel masterfully builds upon and reverses the themes and conventions established in the original. In the first movie, Brice is the videographer who agrees to film a man living in a secluded cabin (Duplass), who claims to have an inoperable brain tumor and wants to document his life for his unborn child. As the man’s behavior grows more bizarre and fixated on a horrifying wolf mask, the cameraman begins to suspect he is being pursued. In the second installment, Desiree Akhavan takes over as Duplass’s newest victim, a YouTube creator making a web series about intriguing Craigslist encounters. When Akhavan’s character resists Duplass’s attempts to intimidate her, he discovers they might be destined for each other in a chilling way.

The Shallows (2016)

Jaume Collet-Serra skillfully transforms ordinary, run-of-the-mill B movies into thrilling cinematic experiences that leave a lasting impression, as demonstrated by his woman-versus-shark suspense film “The Shallows”. In this production, Blake Lively plays a resourceful young surfer who finds herself stranded on a rock in a secluded bay following an attack by a ravenous shark. To stay alive, she uses her intelligence and collects debris from the ocean, which she employs to sustain herself for several days while evading the persistent shark attacks and treating her worsening wounds. The movie is intense, action-packed, and features a particularly engaging seagull as a co-star.

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)

Fans of horror might recall Oz Perkins from his initial directorial work, “The Blackcoat’s Daughter,” as well as the more recent chilling fairy tale “Gretel and Hansel.” However, you may have overlooked the movie he directed in between – a spine-tingling gothic ghost story titled “I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House.” This film features Ruth Wilson portraying a live-in nurse looking after a retired horror writer battling dementia. As peculiar occurrences begin to happen within the house – items moving on their own, odd reflections, and a growing patch of mold on the wall – the nurse becomes convinced that the house is haunted. She believes the author’s last book tells a true tale about what transpired within its walls. The movie offers a poetic and bizarre take on ghost stories, one that will leave you tossing and turning at night.

Life (2017)

Ridley Scott’s “Alien” is often considered the peak of horror films set in space, but we should not overlook Daniel Espinosa’s 2017 alien thriller, “Life”. This movie boasts an impressive cast including Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Ryan Reynolds, who portray a group of astronauts on the International Space Station. They unexpectedly find signs of Martian life in a space-faring organism that rapidly develops into an enormous, intelligent, and terrifying monster beyond their grasp. This film offers a nail-biting thrill ride with some particularly gruesome deaths, along with one of the harshest endings in sci-fi cinema history.

Unsane (2018)

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at how Steven Soderbergh revolutionized his cinematic approach with the chilling psychological thriller “Unsane.” This film marks the beginning of his iPhone era and offers a haunting exploration of the surreal horrors hidden within the healthcare system. I found myself utterly gripped by the narrative as Claire Foy portrays a woman, scarred by a harrowing encounter with a stalker, who is unwillingly confined in a mental hospital – all legally, mind you.

The plot unfolds like a Kafkaesque nightmare, revealing that this institution is not what it seems. The woman learns that the facility is partaking in an underhanded scheme to exploit their patients’ insurance policies for financial gain. To add fuel to the fire, she suspects her tormentor is masquerading as a staff member, with intentions of either abducting or ending her life.

What makes “Unsane” truly unique is that it was clandestinely filmed using an iPhone 7 Plus, giving it the uncanny atmosphere of found footage. The stealthy production process only serves to heighten the sense of unease and tension throughout the film.

Suspiria (2018)

In a somewhat unexpected turn, Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 remake of Suspiria, featuring Dakota Johnson as Susie Bannion, an American ballerina newcomer in West Berlin’s elite dance academy run by a coven of witches, didn’t garner the response it deserved upon release. The film, with Tilda Swinton playing the commanding dance instructor Madame Blanc, who happens to play three roles in the movie without initially revealing this secret, diverges significantly from Dario Argento’s original giallo, abandoning its vibrant colors and delving deeper into themes of motherhood and post-World War II Europe’s melancholy, but it is more captivating than its initial reception suggests.

Crawl (2019)

In the film “Crawl,” directed by Alexandre Aja, the lead characters, played by Kaya Scodelario and Barry Pepper, find themselves trapped in the crawl space beneath their home during a hurricane. As the storm intensifies and floodwaters rise, they discover that alligators have taken over the streets. To escape, they must navigate through the different floors of their house. Despite appearing to be a premise more fitting for a forgettable B-movie, Aja successfully creates an intense atmosphere with his man-versus-gator eco-horror story, making it surprisingly captivating.

The Night House (2020)

In my opinion, “The Night House” is an exceptional movie that sadly didn’t get the attention it deserved. It wasn’t a blockbuster hit, instead, it seemed to elude many viewers, though it did receive a Saturn Award nomination for Best Horror Film. Rebecca Hall, who delivered a remarkable performance in this film as well as in the equally unsettling “Resurrection” the following year, portrays Beth – a woman grappling with her husband’s suicide. A puzzling note, an inverted floor plan of their house, and photographs of a woman resembling her but not being her, initially lead Beth to suspect an affair by her husband. However, upon discovering another house on the lake that mirrors hers, the plot takes a chilling supernatural turn. It’s both spine-tingling and captivating, with one of the most startling jump scares I’ve encountered in recent cinema.

Censor (2021)

In the debut work of Welsh director Prano Bailey-Bond, titled “Censor“, we find a gripping horror movie that also serves as a sharp critique of the British film industry. Niamh Algar portrays Enid, an employee of the British Board of Film Classification during the ‘Video Nasty’ craze of the 1980s. Her role involves removing violent content from freshly completed films. Tormented by the mysterious disappearance of her younger sister, Enid becomes convinced that a director of exploitation movies has been using her missing sibling in his grisly horror productions. Driven to track him down at any cost, this movie offers a compelling narrative that uses historical background to scrutinize not only the past but also the present state of filmmaking.

Crimes of the Future (2022)

In an unexpected twist, it turns out that a David Cronenberg film has found its way onto the list of underappreciated horror movies. His latest production, titled “Crimes of the Future,” draws inspiration from one of his early works for its name but not its storyline, takes us into a bleak future where advancements in human evolution and biotechnology have eliminated physical suffering and most illnesses. Viggo Mortensen plays Saul Tenser, a man whose body continuously develops new organs, which are then harvested by his performance artist companion Caprice (Léa Seydoux) for spectators to witness. This film resonates with contemporary worries, such as the emergence of degenerative diseases and the increasing pollution of our environment with plastic waste. It also showcases a captivating performance by Kristen Stewart as a tense bureaucrat who is fixated on subversive art.

2025-03-03 17:54