Neve Campbell stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's "Scream 7."
The Ghostface killer returns in "Scream 7."

Hello again, Sidney.

Neve Campbell is back as iconic final girl Sidney Prescott in the pulse-pounding first trailer for "Scream 7," which brings the actress back to the horror franchise for another bloody encounter with the Ghostface killer.

The footage introduces viewers to Sidney's peaceful new life with her husband (Joel McHale) and daughter (Isabel May), which is interrupted when she is once again targeted by a new killer wearing the Ghostface mask.

In a heartwarming nod to the original "Scream," the trailer reveals Sidney's daughter is named Tatum, presumably in honor of her friend Tatum Riley. In the original 1996 film that launched the slasher series, Tatum, played by Rose McGowan, was Sidney's best friend, who was brutally murdered by Ghostface in an iconic garage scene. Tatum was also the sister of Dewey Riley (David Arquette), who kept her ashes around during 2022's "Scream."

Speaking of Dewey, the "Scream 7" trailer features two subtle voice cameos teasing the return of fan-favorite – and very much deceased – characters. Near the end of the footage, fans can hear what appears to be the voice of Arquette as Dewey Riley. "All your friends die for just being near you," he says.

Later, the trailer ends with a different voice gleefully saying, "This is gonna be fun." Though the source of the voice isn't identified, it sure sounds like that of Matthew Lillard, who played one of the original Ghostface killers, Stu Macher, in the first "Scream."

Both Arquette and Lillard's return for "Scream 7" was previously revealed via media reports. It's unclear how either actor is back given their characters were killed off in prior "Scream" entries, though fans have speculated that the Ghostface killer could be using AI technology to emulate the voices of people Sidney knows who have died. Fans have also long debated whether Stu could have secretly survived the events of the original "Scream," despite having a television dropped on his head at the end of the film.

The trailer culminates in the burning of Stu Macher's house, an iconic location from the franchise where the finale of both the original "Scream" and the 2022 sequel, also titled "Scream," took place. This image of the burning house, which has been turned into a Ghostface-themed bed and breakfast, is also included on the movie's poster.

The official plot synopsis for "Scream 7" teases, "When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all."

"Scream 7" marks something of a reset for the horror franchise after two films centered around a pair of sisters, played by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. Barrera was originally expected to return for "Scream 7," but was fired from the film over social media posts about the Israel-Hamas war. Her firing led to a pivot to center the latest sequel on Campbell, who had declined to return for the previous entry due to a salary dispute.

Released in 2023, "Scream VI" marked the first film in the series without Campbell as Sidney, who was said to be safe with her family off screen during the events of the movie. "Scream 7," then, will provide fans their first glimpse into Sidney's new life with her family, which was previously only mentioned.

'Scream 7' cast

Ortega is not returning for "Scream 7," though Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding reprise their roles of twins Mindy and Chad from the previous two movies. The "Scream 7" cast also includes Courteney Cox, Anna Camp, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Asa Germann, Celeste O'Connor, Sam Rechner, Ethan Embry, Tim Simons and Mark Consuelos.

"Scream 7" hits theaters on Feb. 27, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Scream 7' trailer features this subtle nod to the original film you may have missed

Reporting by Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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