Scream 7: Should The Horror Sequel Copy Scream 3?

Scream 7

By Aya Tsintziras

Published Jun 14, 2024

Thread 1

Scream 7

Highlights

Scream 7 fans debate mirroring Scream 3's one killer format for better character development and unique story surprises.
Some fans suggest Scream 7 should be set in Hollywood like Scream 3 to continue the trend of mirroring past movies.
Others hope Scream 7 breaks the requel formula seen in previous films and innovates with a new storyline and setting.

Every time a new movie that is part of a beloved franchise comes out, it's a tricky balance between following the same popular formula and doing something new. Scream 7 might not be in theaters just yet, but it's already created debates among horror fans who wonder how closely the new movie will follow what came before it. Although Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) cast and it's great to see the story focus on the final girl again, audiences are still hopeful for something different.

With six previous movies in the horror franchise, fans always wonder if the next movie will be like any of the ones that came before it. In several Reddit threads, Scream fans have discussed if Scream 7 should copy Scream 3 in two interesting and important ways.

Scream 7: Do Fans Want Stu Macher To Return?

There has been speculation for years that Stu Macher could be alive, with fans being very vocal about his possible return in Scream 7.

Should Scream 7 Have One Ghostface Killer Like Scream 3?

In a Reddit thread about Scream 7, Redditor @NotTaken-username said Scream 7 should feature one Ghostface like Scream 3 did. When ranking the Ghostface killers in each Scream movie, Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) generally comes up last. Fans don't find him very compelling and question why his motive of being Maureen Prescott's son would really cause him to go on a killing spree. However, it's interesting that Scream 3 is the only film in the franchise with one Ghostface instead of two or three. The fan wrote that they hope to see this in the upcoming sequel:

"Mirroring Scream 3, there is only one killer. A 'vigilante Ghostface,' this killer wants to break the cycle of sprees by killing everyone involved who is alive."

The fan thought that the Ghostface killer in Scream 7 could be the son of Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber) and also Sam Carpenter's (Melissa Barrera) lawyer. While Sam isn't coming back for Scream 7, Sam was meant to have an arc across three movies, and fans had quite a few theories about what this character's life could look like in the seventh movie.

Having one Ghostface in Scream 7 could make for better character development and this would also surprise audiences during the big reveal. The scene could focus on one character's motive and background and they would hopefully be fully fleshed out. In the past, when two or three Ghostfaces have worked together, one is the mastermind and the other follows along. This isn't quite as compelling or strong as having one character who is acting on their own. Audiences have also gotten used to the format of the franchise and wonder how Scream 7 will feel distinct. Focusing on one killer would be a good way to surprise not only Sidney but also audiences.

Should Scream 7 Have A Hollywood Setting Like Scream 3?

In a Reddit thread about the setting of Scream 7, some fans of the horror franchise discussed if Scream 7 should be set in Hollywood, as Scream 3 was. For some, this is the least exciting movie in the franchise because of the Hollywood setting, and they don't love the franchise-within-a-franchise Stab. Others think Hollywood would make another great location because it's exciting, flashy, and dramatic. While fans wonder if Scream 7 will have a Woodsboro setting, others think another place would work better.

One fan wrote that Scream 7 should be set in Hollywood becausethe franchise has a history of "mirroring" past movies. It's interesting to reflect back on the franchise and see that this is true. They wrote:

"Hollywood would be a good fit, just to keep following the trend. (Scream 5 mirroring Scream 1 / Scream 6 vs. Scream 2 / Scream 7 vs. Scream 3)."

Redditor @TheCapsicle agrees that a Hollywood-adjacent setting would be fun and entertaining. The fan suggested that Scream 7 have a fan convention setting, which would definitely raise the stakes and provide a necessary crowd for Ghostface to hide in. The fan wrote:

"In the vein of Hollywood, I’d love for a Scream movie to be set during some sort of comic con/stab-con in San Diego, where the previous survivors have been paid to attend as guests/promoters for the new Stab movie."

However, in another Reddit thread, Scream fans hoped Scream 7 would have a new storyline instead of the same formula that has been in place since the start. It's a fair point that after watching Scream and Scream 4 set in Woodsboro, Scream 2 set at college, Scream 3 on a film set, and Scream (2022) and Scream 6 in New York City, Sidney should be somewhere else that hasn't been done before. The fan wrote:

"I hope that it abandons the requel formula and that it stops referencing the previous movies all the time, we've had 3 movies focus on reboots and requels (4,5,6) and I just want something that innovates."