Mckenna Grace is living her dream, joining the cast of the highly anticipated Scream 7. Fans of the iconic horror series were thrilled when the Ghostbusters star announced her involvement. Grace herself couldn’t contain her excitement, telling Us Weekly at iHeartRadio’s Z100 Jingle Ball that she’s been a longtime fan of the franchise. “I’m so jazzed. It’s actually crazy,” she shared, revealing she carries a tote bag featuring original cast members Skeet Ulrich and Matthew Lillard everywhere she goes.
Despite being born ten years after the release of the original 1996 film, Grace is no stranger to the Scream universe. The upcoming film will also feature original stars, Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox, returning to their iconic roles alongside Grace. “I work comic cons and one time, I snuck into a photo op to take a picture with the original Scream cast,” she revealed. Grace added that keeping her casting a secret from friends was one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do.
The journey to Scream 7 has been marked by notable casting changes. In late 2023, Melissa Barrera was dismissed from the franchise following her public support for Palestine, and Jenna Ortega exited due to scheduling conflicts. Neve Campbell, who skipped Scream 6, confirmed her return in March 2024 as Sidney Prescott. Additionally, franchise staples Courteney Cox and Mason Gooding have joined the film, slated for a February 2026 release.
For Grace, stepping into the Scream legacy is an honor and an exciting challenge. With a history of horror roles in films like Amityville: The Awakening, Malignant, and the Annabelle series, the 18-year-old actress feels right at home in the genre. “Horror is really where my heart lives,” she said. “I grew up watching scary movies with my dad. Tim Burton films were my favorite animated movies. I was always into the creepy stuff.”
Reflecting on her journey, Grace expressed how surreal it feels to star in the kinds of movies she grew up idolizing. “It’s crazy to be part of these sequels,” she said. While tight-lipped about the plot, Grace teased, “All I can say is I’m really excited.”
