Scream 7 is gearing up to start filming sometime this year, but Neve Campbell is the only cast member confirmed to return for the upcoming sequel. Plans for Scream 7 have drastically changed since the departure of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega from the project, leaving the return of other legacy characters in doubt. Two of those characters are Randy Meek's niece and nephew, Chad and Mindy, who were part of the famed Core 4 in the previous two movies.
The Meeks-Martin twins, Chad and Mindy, are played by Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown respectively, and both actors became a big part of the Scream universe when they first appeared in Scream (2022). Both characters survived Scream 6, and were set to appear in Scream 7, but fellow Core 4 members, Sam and Tara Carpenter's absences have raised the issue of whether Chad and Mindy should return.
Should Chad and Mindy return in Scream 7 without Sam and Tara?
There are big questions surrounding Scream 7, with plot details being kept under wraps. Kevin Williamson is set to direct the upcoming sequel, from a script by Gus Busick, who co-wrote Scream (2022) and Scream 6 with James Vanderbilt. However, Neve Campbell is coming back and is currently the only confirmed cast member signed on to return, with Courteney Cox and Patrick Dempsey reportedly in talks to return.
This has left fans wondering about the chances of Chad and Mindy returning for Scream 7, after the break-up of Core 4, with the exits of Barrera and Ortega. The Meeks-Martin twins are very much part of the new generation of Scream movies, and Scream 7 is looking set to focus more on legacy characters from Wes Craven's original movies. It's becoming increasingly difficult to see where these characters fit into the canon for the upcoming sequel.
Having said that, Chad and Mindy are related to original legacy character, Randy Meeks, and this could be a possible way in for them in Scream 7. Mindy is a key figure in Scream (2022) and Scream 6, with her commentary on the horror genre, which echoes the sentiments of her uncle Randy. The Scream franchise is always stronger with a character who represents the audience, and when Randy Meeks was killed in Scream 2, subsequent entries in the franchise suffered because of it, until Mindy turned up to update the audience on the rules of the current horror genre.
As for Chad, his ability to survive Ghostface's brutal attacks on two separate occasions, has led many fans to consider him to be the worthy successor to Dewey Riley. And with the ex Woodsboro sheriff sadly no longer alive, this leaves a gap for a heroic male survivor. However, if rumors are believed to be true, Mark Kincaid could be returning for the first time since Scream 3, and that could fill the void left by Dewey, especially with his law enforcement background, meaning Chad could be a spare part if he was to return in Scream 7.
Are Chad and Mindy likely to return in Scream 7?
Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown have both stood in solidarity with Melissa Barrera, over her firing from Scream 7, and recently attended the Abigail premiere alongside her. This strong stance towards their co-star might signal their intention not to return for Scream 7, but nothing has been confirmed. Gooding spoke about Scream 7 in an interview with Variety:
Gooding doesn't reveal much about any potential return in Scream 7, but he seems to value the bond he created with his fellow Core 4 members ahead of any return to the franchise.
Jasmin Savoy was asked by Entertainment Tonight, if she knew anything about the upcoming sequel and if she was going to return:
It appears that Spyglass hasn't reached out to Gooding or Savoy Brown about a possible return in Scream 7, making their appearances very unlikely. Savoy Brown also told Entertainment Tonight about her experience in the Scream franchise:
Scream 7 looks set to lean on the origins of the franchise, making Chad and Mindy surplus to requirements for the upcoming sequel. However, if things were to change moving forward, don't rule out the return of The Core 4 in a future installment of Scream.