Less than a month after the release of ‘Scream’ (2022), it was announced that ‘Scream 6’ was already in the works. The following month, Courtney Cox announced that she would be returning for this next installment in the slasher franchise, once again reprising her role as Gale Weathers.
Now it appears that Cox will not be the only returning cast member to reprise her role, as it has now been confirmed that Hayden Panettiere will also be returning to the franchise in ‘Scream 6’.
Panettiere first appeared in ‘Scream 4’ as Kirby Reed. In the film, Kirby is stabbed by Charlie Walker (Rory Culkin) after she attempts to rescue him. Only to find out that he is one of the film’s two Ghostface killers. In the film, she is presumably left for dead.
But many fans, including Wes Craven himself, held onto the belief that Kirby had managed to survive the attack, being rescued before she bled out.
Her fate would not be officially revealed until a scene in ‘Scream’ (2022) where Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) was watching a YouTube video about Stab 8, and on the side of the screen was a recommended video that featured an interview with Woodsboro survivor Kirby Reed.
There was talk that Panettiere was supposed to make a cameo appearance in the film, but due to scheduling conflicts, she was unable to reprise her role.
What capacity Cox and Panettiere will be playing in this next installment is unknown at this time, but seeing as how ‘Scream’ (2022) made a big deal out of its legacy characters, it seems likely the pair will have predominant roles in the film.
Along with Cox and Panettiere, Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, will also be returning for this next installment in the franchise.
The four made their official Scream debuts in the previous film.
Melissa Barrera portrayed Tara Carpenter, the daughter of original Ghostface killer Billy Loomis, played by Skeet Ulrich, who reprised his role in ‘Scream’ (2022).
Gooding and Savoy Brown, play brother and sister duo Chad Meeks-Martin and Mindy Meeks-Martin. The niece and nephew of beloved ‘Scream’ character Randy Meeks, portrayed on screen by Jamie Kennedy.
Plot details for ‘Scream 6’ are currently being kept secret at this time, other than that the film is said to be a continuation of the previous film, as it will focus on the “four survivors of the Ghostface killings as they leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.”
As previously announced, filming for ‘Scream 6’ is expected to begin in Montreal, Canada in June.
At this time, a release date is tentatively scheduled for March 31, 2023, but this date is subject to change.
