How The Upcoming Horror Sequel Can Mention The Core Four Characters

Key Takeaways

Sidney is back for Scream 7, but the Core Four is broken up, sparking theories on how to include them.
Connecting Sidney’s family to the Core Four in Scream 7 even without the original actors creates a strong link.
Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy-Brown’s uncertain return creates suspense, but fans hope to see Chad and Mindy in the sequel.

While I have a particular interest in horror movies from the 1990s since I enjoy the “guilty pleasure” aspect of cheesy entertainment, Scream is my favorite slasher from this time period. I think Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is the most compelling final girl and Ghostface is one of the most riveting villains thanks to their memorable costume and enduring nature. It’s no surprise, then, that I’m counting the days until Scream 7. The upcoming horror sequel has a release date of February 27th, 2026, and with so much time until the movie is in theaters, my imagination is running wild with possible plot points and character theories.

Although Sidney is going to be back, the Core Fore of Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding), Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown), Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), and Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) have been broken up since Ortega and Barrera aren’t returning. Does that mean that they can’t be included at all? I have an idea about how Scream 7 can still use the Core Four and continue with these great characters.

Scream 7: Do Fans Want This Legacy Character To Return?

Scream 7 is on its way, and while Neve Campbell has signed on to play Sidney Prescott again, fans wonder if another legacy character should return.

How I Think Scream 7 Can Use Mindy, Chad, Sam, and Tara

Detective Bailey, Tara, Kirby, Mindy, Sam and Chad in Scream 6

It’s unclear if Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy-Brown will play Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin again, but there is a good way to mention them whether or not they do return. If Chad and Mindy don’t come back, it’s possible that Scream 7 could move on and put other characters in the spotlight. But I have an idea: what if Sidney’s kids are somehow connected to the Core Four?

This would create a strong link between Scream (2022), Scream 6, and Scream 7, and would also make it possible to include Chad, Mindy, Sam, and Tara in the new story without the actors appearing again. Of course, this would only work if Sidney lived close to Woodsboro, but she may have moved back to her hometown. Maybe Tara, Sam, or Mindy babysat for Sidney’s kids, and they still keep in touch. Chad and Mindy could also have tutored or helped Sidney’s kids somehow.

While it’s unclear which Scream 7 fan theories will end up being correct, if any of them do, I bet that Sidney will mention Sam, Tara, Chad, and Mindy in at least one scene if none of the actors return. Given how smart and perceptive they are, it would be a shame if that didn’t happen. It also doesn’t make sense to introduce four new fully formed and interesting characters and then just leave them behind entirely.

Connecting Sidney’s family to the Core Four would also work if Chad and Mindy do come back. There could be a fun scene where Chad and Mindy babysit the children and Ghostface shows up looking for Sidney. After all, there are many memorable horror movies about babysitting since it’s unnerving to see characters spending time in a big house on their own at night.

As Chad almost died in Scream 6, he and his sister have an understanding of what Sidney has gone through, and she could be like a mentor to them in Scream 7. Since Sidney was good friends with Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy), Chad and Mindy could also talk to Sidney about their late uncle, which would be a heartwarming scene amid all the fast-paced action and gore.

What Did Mason Gooding And Jasmin Savoy-Brown Say About Coming Back For Scream 7?

Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks-Martin and Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks-Martin in Scream (2022)

While Scream 7 fans wait for more casting news, Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown have been asked in interviews about returning to the horror sequel. I’m excited to see Sidney again and learn about her current life, especially since she’s such a famous final girl. But I also would love to see Chad and Mindy again since they’re smart and engaging characters.

In March 2024, Gooding said that he didn’t know much about whether Scream 7 would happen. He told Variety:

“It’s one of those things where you wait to hear from the people that make the big decisions. It’s all about keeping up with what feels like is the best movie for the fans. Scream doesn’t exist without the people who enjoy is as much as they…If people want it, they will certainly try their best to see it happen.”

A few months earlier, in January 2024, Brown told Entertainment Tonight:

“I haven’t gotten a call. If you want to ask Spyglass what they’re doing, you can.”

While I’d be interested in seeing how the horror sequel could bring back Dewey Riley (David Arquette), I also think that Chad and Mindy need to return, and I’ll be watching for any more Scream 7 casting news.