Killer Reveal Teased for Scream 7? Mark’s Possible Ghostface Explained!

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Summary

  • Cast departures for Scream 7 include Barrera and Ortega, but returning stars like Campbell and Cox provide continuity.
  • New characters like May and McHale join Scream 7, potentially setting up a new generation for the franchise.
  • Speculation surrounds Mark’s role in Scream 7, with theories suggesting an unforeseen twist in the killer’s identity.

Fresh talent is joining the established cast of the ongoing Scream series, with Kevin Williamson’s upcoming Scream 7 experiencing some significant actor departures. However, it’s also strengthening its ensemble with familiar faces and fresh blood. Unfortunately, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega won’t be back as Sam and Tara Carpenter, but Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox are set to reprise their long-standing roles as Sidney Prescott and Gale Weathers respectively. Besides them, Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown are also returning, but they won’t be the only new additions in Scream 7.

2023’s “Scream VI” was initially planned as the second part of a new trilogy, following 2022’s “Scream” reboot. However, the departures of Barrera and Ortega have made “Scream 7” feel more like another reboot. If “Scream 7” does well enough, it might lead to a new group of characters taking over the series, potentially even reaching a hypothetical “Scream 8”. Notably, Isabel May from “1883” has been cast as Sidney’s daughter, and Joel McHale from “Community” will play Sidney’s husband, Mark. This isn’t the only family tie-in for the series.

Who is Joel McHale Playing in Scream 7?

In the much-anticipated film “Scream 7”, Joel McHale steps into the role of Mark Evans. Similar to May’s portrayal of Sidney’s unnamed daughter, Mark is a fresh face in the “Scream” franchise, despite having been mentioned earlier. A hint about his character was dropped as early as 2022’s “Scream”, when Dewey (David Arquette) asked Sidney, “How’s Mark?” This query sparked widespread conjecture that he could be referring to Detective Mark Kincaid, a character played by Patrick Dempsey from “Grey’s Anatomy” in the 2000 movie “Scream 3”.

Initially, Williamson penned the first two “Scream” films, but he didn’t participate in writing the third one – a film initially planned as the conclusion for the franchise. In “Scream 3”, Sidney found peace by overcoming her inner turmoil, discovering that her half-brother was Ghostface, and eventually living a tranquil life with Mark Kincaid. The “Scream” series seemed to have ended until Craven revisited it in the controversial “Scream 4” in 2011. Despite Sidney’s return in this movie, there was no mention or appearance of Mark Kincaid.

In the scenario, Dempsey had been invited to rejoin the cast for “Scream 4”, but he declined because of his prior engagement on “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”. Initially, the script intended to delve deeper into the bond between Mark and Sidney, yet with Dempsey opting out, that connection was excised from the storyline. Although it was presumed that a brief reference to Mark in the 2022 “Scream” was merely an Easter egg hinting at Sidney’s ongoing relationship with Detective Kincaid, recent developments seem to indicate that Joel McHale’s character, Mark Evans, is actually being retconned into the story.

I’ve always appreciated the comedic undertone in the “Scream” series amidst all the horror and gore, so McHale’s casting seems fitting given his previous roles. From Emma Roberts to Jack Quaid, Dermot Mulroney to Samara Weaving, a diverse array of talented actors have graced the “Scream” franchise, making McHale part of an illustrious group. The departures of Barrera and Ortega, as well as directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, have caused some turbulence, leading to a shift in the release date to February 2026. Fortunately, filming has just started, and we’ll soon learn more about Mark’s character as the story unfolds.

Joel McHale Would (and Probably Will Be) An Obvious Ghostface

In addition to the question of which characters meet their end in a gruesome manner, a key mystery in every Scream film is the true identity of the masked killer known as Ghostface. The original 1996 Scream shook up the genre by revealing that both Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) and Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) were the killers, with only Scream 3 bucking this trend. Since then, most films have featured multiple Ghostfaces. Scream VI set a new record with an impressive three masked murderers, although many viewers believe this is the maximum number. It’s highly improbable that any of the returning characters will be found under the Ghostface mask, leaving room for one of the newcomers to don the iconic disguise and become the killer.

It’s quite unconventional to assume that Mark could become Ghostface, given that he appears to have been with Sidney throughout, only to ultimately kill her. The series has already explored the concept of a hidden past connection in Scream 3, and both Scream 2 and Scream 6 have depicted enraged family members seeking revenge on the lead for murdering a previous Ghostface. Although it might not fit logically for Mark to be Ghostface, it seems like a predictable choice that aligns with the franchise’s history. Keep in mind that Sidney isn’t unfamiliar with dating someone who turns out to be Ghostface.

The series of events leading up to the story started when Sidney began dating Billy Loomis, which also introduced the notion of the deranged murderer continuing as Billy, the father of Sam Carpenter in the storyline. In Scream 2, there was a similar plot twist involving Sidney’s boyfriend potentially being the killer, and initially, Derek Feldman (played by Jerry O’Connell) was intended to be one of three killers disguised as Ghostfaces. However, the script was leaked, causing Nancy Loomis (portrayed by Laurie Metcalf) and Mickey Altieri (Timothy Olyphant) to become the actual killers instead. Interestingly, Olyphant and McHale are real-life friends and have worked together on various projects, leading some to speculate that Mark Evans might be Mickey’s brother in the storyline.

The “Scream” series often pays tribute to its roots by revisiting past elements, and considering the twist in 2022’s “Scream” where Sam’s boyfriend Ritchie (Jack Quaid) turned out to be the killer as a nod to Sidney and Billy from the original film, it wouldn’t be surprising if this theme was carried forward in “Scream 7”. Given that Sidney is expected to return as the main character, “Scream 7” seems to be starting anew. While it would be simple to give a contemporary twist to one of the most famous horror movie revelations by making Mark into Ghostface, this idea feels too predictable. Despite the consistent box office success of the “Scream” films, there’s a call for innovation in its next installment. Some theories suggest that there might be a recurring Ghostface character for the first time ever, implying that if Mark Evans is indeed the killer, McHale could make a comeback. Alternatively, it’s possible that Mark is headed for an early exit like Derek.

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2025-01-20 23:26