With Patrick Dempsey not returning as Mark Kincaid in Scream 7, it has saved the movie from repeating a controversial mistake from the reboot movies.

Patrick Dempsey wanted to return for “Scream 7.” In October, he said there had been “a conversation” about him rejoining the horror franchise. Dempsey told the “Today” show, “I’m waiting on the script,

Patrick Dempsey couldn’t work Scream 7 into his schedule. The 59-year-old actor played Det. Mark Kincaid in the third installment of the slasher franchise 25 years ago and had been hoping to reprise the role for the new movie — which is set for release in February 2026 — but struggled to commit to it,