After a more than 20 year hiatus, it appears Patrick Dempsey could be retuning to the Scream film franchise.
In an interview with People, the actor, 58, confirmed he's been in talks about him reprising his role as Detective Mark Kincaid for the upcoming Scream 7, which already includes original star Neve Campbell.
'Well, they've been talking to me about it, and I think they're still working on the script,' Dempsey revealed. 'And, of course, Neve [Campbell] has signed on, so I think we'll see.'
Dempsey is eagerly awaiting the script being sent to him, with hopes that the film and his role is still on track towards the start of production.
'I'm waiting to read the script and to see if it actually goes,' theLewiston, Maine native explained.'In this business, you never know what's going to happen. But if the opportunity opens itself up and it becomes a reality, then I'll definitely take it seriously.'
Patrick Dempsey, 58, revealed that he has been in talks to rejoin the cast of the Scream film franchise for the upcoming Scream 7; (L) seen in2023; (R) seen in a 2000 Scream still
The first two films in the franchise - Scream (1996) and Scream 2 (1997) - were both hits at the box office, grossing $173 million and $172 million respectively
The longtimeGrey's Anatomy star appeared in one of the franchise films, Scream 3 (2000), which was directed by the late and legendary Wes Craven, who worked from a script by Ehren Kruger, who had replacedKevin Williamson after he penned the first two installments.
He played the husbandto Campbell's Sidney Prescott in the movie that also featuredCourteney Cox (Gale Weathers) and David Arquette (Dewey Riley), as well asScott Foley (Roman Bridger), Lance Henriksen (John Milton), Matt Keeslar (Tom Prinze), Jenny McCarthy (Sarah Darling), Emily Mortimer (Angelina Tyler), Parker Posey (Jennifer Jolie), Deon Richmond (Tyson Fox), and Liev Schreiber (Cotton Weary).
In the film, Dempsey's Kincaid helps investigate the Stab 3 murders, all while he developed a romantic interest in Sidney.
Ultimately, Scream 3 went on to become a hit at the worldwide box office, grossing $161.8 million in receipts against a budget of $40 million.
Campbell confirmed her return to the Scream fold this past March after first playing the character in the original Scream (1996).
Directed by Wes Craven and written Kevin Williamson, the first in the series also starred David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, and Drew Barrymore.
Set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, the storyfollows high school studentSidney Prescott (Campbell) and her friends, who, on the anniversary of her mother's murder, become the targets of a costumed serial killer known as Ghostface.
The murder mystery, slasher film ended up being a smash it at the worldwide box office, grossing$173 million after spending between $14-15 million on the production.
Dempsey joined the franchise for the third installment, playing Det. Mark Kinkaid, who's married toSidney Prescott (Neve Campbell)
Ultimately, Scream 3 went on to become a hit at the worldwide box office, earning $161.8 million in receipts against a budget of $40 million
The Craven and Williamson teamed back up for Scream 2 (1997), with Arquette, Campbell and Cox reprising their roles, along with newcomers to the cast Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jamie Kennedy, Laurie Metcalf, Jerry O'Connell, Jada Pinkett, and Liev Schreiber.
The first sequel proved to have similar success as the original, raking in $172 million at the worldwide box office, only this time the budget jumped to $24 million.
Williamson returned to the franchise for Scream 4 (2011) along with Craven as director, but it dropped off in the moneymaking department, earning $97.2 million with a budget of $40 million.
While Dempsey didn't appear in third sequel, his character did get a mention by Dewey in the fifth film, simply titled Scream (2022), and again in Scream VI (2023) when Gale reveals Det. Kincaid to be in hiding.
Thefifth installment marked the first in the seriesnot directed by Wes Craven, who died in 2015 and to whom the film is dedicated.
It brought in a slew of new cast members such asMelissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, and Marley Shelton, to go along with Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and Neve Campbell.
The box office receipts for the fourth sequel rebounded, eventually totaling $138.9 million while the production ended up costing $24 million.
The most recent in the franchise, Scream VI (2023), saw the return of Melissa Barrera, Cox,Ortega, and Gooding while introducing the likes of Jasmin Savoy Brown, Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, Samara Weaving, and Hayden Panettiere.
While Dempsey didn't appear in third sequel, his character did get a mention by Dewey in the fifth film, simply titled Scream (2022), and again in Scream VI (2023) when Gale reveals Det. Kincaid to be in hiding; starsMelissa Barrera, Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox are pictured
Campbell confirmed she is reprising her role asSidney Prescott for Scream 7
After the fifth installment, Scream (2022) returned the franchise to hit film status, the followup, Scream VI (2023) also did well with fans earning $169 million from a production that was said to be between $33-35 million
With Dempsey likely joining the cast, Scream 7, with Kevin Williamson serving as director, is slated to hit theaters on February 27, 2026
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett who worked with a script from James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, the sixth installment proved to be a winning combination by earning $169 million, while the production was said to be between $33-35 million.
The news of a Scream 7 was announced in August 2023, withChristopher Landon set to direct, but months later the filmmaker, who's resume includesParanormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014), Freaky (2020) and Happy Death Day (2017), announced on X (formely Twitter) that's he's no longer attached to the production.
Melissa Barrera will not be returning after being fired from the franchise in November 2023 over pro-Palestine posts thatthe production company Spyglass Media said 'crossed the line into hate speech.'
Scream 7, which is now being directed byKevin Williamson, who wrote several of the previous franchise films, is scheduled to hit theaters on February 27, 2026.
