Joel McHale Joins ‘Scream 7’ as Sidney Prescott’s Husband

ATLANTA, Ga. — Joel McHale has been cast as Mark Evans, the husband of Neve Campbell‘s iconic character Sidney Prescott, in the upcoming ‘Scream 7,’ The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Tuesday. The announcement comes as production for the latest installment in the meta horror franchise continues in Atlanta.

McHale, known for his roles in ‘Community‘ and ‘Yellowjackets,’ joins a star-studded cast that includes Courteney Cox reprising her role as Gale Weathers and Mason Gooding returning as Chad Meeks-Martin. Newcomers Isabel May, Celeste O'Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner, and Anna Camp are also part of the ensemble, with May playing Prescott’s daughter.

The seventh installment marks a significant shift for the franchise after the departure of young stars Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera. Campbell, who sat out 2023’s ‘Scream VI‘ due to a pay dispute, returns to anchor the film, which focuses on her character’s journey as a mother.

Kevin Williamson, the creator of the franchise and writer of the original ‘Scream,’ is directing the film from a script by Guy Busick. Producers James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment are overseeing the project, which is set for a global theatrical release on February 27, 2026.

‘Scream 7’ follows the success of ‘Scream VI,’ which grossed a franchise-high $166.3 million worldwide in 2023. Since its inception in 1996, the series has collectively earned over $900 million at the global box office.

McHale, currently starring in Fox‘s ‘Animal Control‘ and set to guest star in the third season of ‘Yellowjackets,’ brings a mix of comedic and dramatic chops to the role. He is also reprising his beloved character Jeff Winger in the upcoming ‘Community: The Movie.’

Williamson expressed excitement about the casting, stating, ‘Joel brings a unique energy to the franchise that will resonate with both longtime fans and new audiences.’

The film is expected to delve deeper into Sidney Prescott’s life while maintaining the self-referential humor and suspense that have defined the series. Paramount Pictures is handling distribution, with production set to wrap later this year.