Friends legend confirms next big movie as fans make brutal remark about role

Courteney Cox is set to return as the formidable Gale Weathers in the highly anticipated Scream 7, despite fan speculation over her character's fate following a hospitalisation scene and the on-screen death of her partner Dewey Riley, played by David Arquette.

The confirmation came during her appearance on Variety's Just A Variety podcast, where she excitedly revealed: "I got the script yesterday. I haven't read it yet, I just got it..."

She added: "I'm excited to read it, and I know they're gonna start filming in June, in Canada. I don't know if I'm supposed to say anything. Let me tell you the killer!"

Gale Weathers has been a staple in all the Scream films, narrowly evading death each time.

Fans have taken to Reddit to voice their opinions on the news, with mixed feelings about her return. One user commented: "Not sure how I feel about this. I really felt the fifth film was as good a way to be a send off for her."

Meanwhile another stated: "Damn. I was really hoping they'd cut the cord on the OG cast after the last one."

Complaints about the franchise's direction were epitomised by one fan's remark, as they penned: "None of the new characters were at all memorable, but having the old characters hovering around in the background looking tired isn't doing anyone any favours."

One viewer, referring to the slasher's common tropes, quipped: "Pencil her in for another stomach stabbing or gunshot?", as another predicted: "One dies per movie in this trilogy I bet. Gale is next; then Sid. I wouldn't be surprised if Sid sits out the next movie, and then Gale's death is what brings Sid back."

Making a comeback is mainstay Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, having graced all five previous instalments, and she'll be joined by Mason Gooding alongside fresh faces such as Isabel May, Celeste O'Connor, Asa Germann, McKenna Grace, Sam Rechner and Anna Camp in exciting but yet-to-be-revealed roles, reports the Mirror.

Stepping away from the spotlight, Melissa Barrera won't return due to being dismissed after her pro-Palestine stance amidst the Israel conflict became public. Consequently, Jenna Ortega, who played Barrera's on-screen sister, has also bowed out of the upcoming projects.

Last year's Scream 6 slashed its way to commercial triumph, raking in a whopping $169 million against a $35 million budget.

Scream 7 hits cinemas on February 27, 2026