Scream 7 Cast Exits Mean Sidney Must Finally Get Her Proper Franchise Ending

With Sam and Tara not returning in Scream 7, the final chapter in the Scream reboot trilogy can now give Sidney Prescott a proper ending.

Summary

• Scream 7's shake-up with Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega's exit means that Sidney Prescott can now have her proper franchise ending.
• Although Sidney survived the events of Scream 2022, she didn't get a real ending, but Scream 7 can finally give her the closure she deserves.
• Scream 7 should focus on Sidney and Gale as its final girls, continuing the trend from the previous movies and exploring their relationship. Sidney and Gale are the best options to keep the audience's interest.

Scream 7 is going through a massive shake-up with Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega's exit, but this means Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) can now get her proper franchise ending. Although Scream 4 was supposed to be the final chapter in the saga, the Scream franchise was revived in 2022 with a legacy sequel/”requel” that brought back the three survivors of the first four movies – Sidney, Gale Weathers, and Dewey Riley – and introduced a new generation of characters, establishing sisters Sam (Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Ortega) as the new Final Girls.

Sam was also the link between both generations of Scream characters as she was revealed to be Billy Loomis’ daughter, whom he had in high school. Sam and Tara have now survived two Ghostface murder sprees in Scream 2022 and Scream 6, but their story together is now coming to an end before Scream 7 comes out. Melissa Barrera has been fired from Scream 7, and Jenna Ortega has also left the project, leading the creative team behind the project to change the story they had planned – but with them gone, Scream 7 can now see the return of the franchise’s original Final Girl, Sidney Prescott.

Melissa Barrera & Jenna Ortega's Scream 7 Exits Means The Franchise Needs Neve Campbell Back

Sidney Prescott can now return for one final confrontation with Ghostface

Although Sam and Tara no longer being part of Scream 7 is not an ideal scenario for the trilogy, it makes Sidney’s return more likely. As mentioned above, Sidney returned in Scream 2022 along with Gale and Dewey to confront a new Ghostface killer who was targeting people connected to past killers. Although she survived and was key in defeating the new Ghostface killers, Sidney didn’t return in Scream 6, as according to Gale, she had gone into hiding with her husband, Mark, and their kids to finally leave their hurtful past behind. Behind the scenes, Neve Campbell didn’t return as her contract and salary negotiations had stalled with the studio.

Sam and Tara carried Scream 6 during Sidney’s absence, but with them now gone, Scream 7 now needs to bring Sidney Prescott back. Scream 7 can justify their absences similarly to how Scream 6 did with Sidney, explaining that Sam and Tara had gone into hiding for their peace and safety, making way for Sidney’s return. As the Scream saga started with Sidney, it feels appropriate to have it end with her, as well, but it’s to be seen if Campbell gets an offer that fits her requirements and if she accepts to take the lead in a Scream movie again.

Scream 7 Can Finally Give Neve Campbell's Sidney A Real Ending

Scream 7 is the last chance to close Sidney's story

Although Sidney survived the events of Scream 2022, it didn’t exactly give her a real ending, perhaps with the idea of bringing her back in Scream 6. Scream 4 was the closest there was to Sidney having a real ending, but that was undone with her return in Scream 2022. Sidney returned to Woodsboro after learning of Dewey’s death and teamed up with Gale to bring justice to Dewey by getting rid of the new Ghostface killer(s). Together, Sidney and Gale incapacitated Amber, who was ultimately shot to death by Tara, while Sam dealt with Richie. Sidney was last seen sitting in an ambulance with Gale, with Sam thanking them for what they did.

While it was a nice moment between Scream’s two Final Girls, Sidney’s story feels incomplete as she didn’t return in Scream 6, but Scream 7 can now fix this. Surely, there must be a strong reason for Sidney to return to face a new Ghostface killer after she made it clear in the previous movies that her family and their safety are her priority now, but with the new Final Girls not returning, Sidney is the franchise’s last hope to get the audience’s attention back, while also finally giving her a satisfying ending.

Why Scream 7 Should Focus On Sidney & Gale

Scream 7 needs Sidney & Gale as its final girls

Another reason why Scream 7 should bring Sidney back is to continue a trend from the reboot trilogy, as each movie has been focused on one legacy character, with Scream 2022 focused on Dewey and Scream 6 on Gale – however, now that both Sam and Tara are gone, Sidney can share the Final Girl spotlight with Gale. Scream 2022 showed that Sidney and Gale’s relationship has improved a lot over the years, but it didn’t go into it. Scream 7 can have Sidney and Gale as its main characters and explore their dynamic together, while also finally bringing their stories to a definitive end. With Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega no longer part of Scream 7, the movie now needs a big hook to keep the audience’s interest, and Sidney and Gale are its best options.