Hold onto your Ghostface masks, horror fans! The Scream franchise was once again resurrected, but the original plan for the Carpenter sisters might shock you. The legacy sequel in 2022 and its follow-up in 2023 had a specific destiny in mind for Sam Carpenter, and it's a twist that could have completely redefined the series.
Skeet Ulrich, who played one of the original Ghostfaces, Billy Loomis, has revealed some juicy details. He was approached with a "three-picture arc" that would have seen Sam, played by Melissa Barrera, haunted by visions of her father, Billy. This haunting would have been a major plot point, leading Sam down a dark path.
Through these visions and her actions, the story was intended to transform Sam into a Ghostface herself. The first two films subtly hinted at this with her killing one of the Ghostfaces in each movie. The ending of Scream 6 even left us guessing, with Sam staring at the Ghostface mask before dropping it, leaving the audience to wonder if she was leaving her dark past behind or embracing it.
But here's where it gets controversial... These plans were scrapped due to unforeseen circumstances. Ulrich politely referred to it as "certain things," but it's widely understood that Barrera was fired by Spyglass, the franchise owner, in 2023. This decision followed her public support for Palestinians during the early stages of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Following Barrera's departure, Jenna Ortega also left the franchise, and Christopher Landon, who took over directing duties, exited as well.
Scream 7 is now helmed by Kevin Williamson, the writer of the first and fourth films, and will feature Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, along with Courtney Cox, Mason Gooding, Jasmine Savoy Brown, and Matthew Lillard. The film is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. Ulrich confirmed he won't be returning and knows "nothing" about the new film.
What do you think of the original plan for Sam? Would you have liked to see her become Ghostface? Do you think the changes made were for the better, or do you feel the franchise lost something with the altered direction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
