Fans of the iconic horror franchise are in for quite a shift as Skeet Ulrich, who famously portrayed serial killer Billy Loomis in the original Scream, recently shared some insights about the evolution of his character and the franchise’s trajectory during a conversation with Entertainment Weekly.
With the release of Scream 7 approaching, scheduled for February 27, Ulrich addressed the idea of returning to the franchise, stating definitively that he would not reprise his role. “I’ve been vocal about that. I’m not,” Ulrich revealed, reflecting on the original plans which aimed to develop a complex storyline spanning multiple films. This narrative arc intended to gradually transform Billy’s daughter, Sam Carpenter—played by Melissa Barrera—into a killer herself, but those intentions changed dramatically due to various behind-the-scenes developments.
In the original 1996 film, Billy Loomis was killed, but the character made a comeback in spectral form in the recent installments Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023). This allowed him to influence his daughter’s storyline and provided a fresh dynamic to the franchise.
Ulrich referenced the “certain things that happened” that altered the direction of the upcoming film—most notably, the departure of the filmmaking duo Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. They stepped away from Scream 7 due to scheduling conflicts with another project, while Barrera faced her own challenges, reportedly losing her role after social media posts related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. This unexpected turn of events also saw co-star Jenna Ortega and the new director, Christopher Landon, exit the project shortly after.
As a result, the narrative for Scream 7 has shifted focus back to the franchise’s original protagonist, Sidney Prescott, portrayed by Neve Campbell, who had missed the sixth installment due to contract disputes. The plot is now centered around Sidney’s family, including her daughter Tatum and husband Mark, as they grapple with the terror imposed by a new Ghostface.
Though Ulrich admitted he hasn’t seen any scripts for the upcoming film, his remarks have sparked discussions among fans. Speculation around Sam potentially taking up the mantle of Ghostface continues to gain traction, with Barrera herself expressing her intrigue in the idea. “It would be my dream for Sam to be Ghostface,” she shared in a 2023 interview, suggesting a deeper complexity in her character—one that blurs the lines between heroism and villainy.
The directors have also played with the notion of darkness lurking within Sam, highlighting her struggle with her past and familial connections. Gillett once described Sam as a character who grapples with inherited trauma, making her a compelling figure within the Scream narrative landscape.
As the franchise evolves, it remains clear that the complexities of legacy, identity, and horror will continue to drive its story, captivating audiences both old and new.
