Courteney Cox hasn't actually signed onto return for Scream 7 yet

As excited as fans are about the return of the slasher franchise Scream, it looks like there are still some casting and script details to iron out before we get any more official information about what direction the franchise is headed. While it was previously announced that Neve Campbell would return to reprise her role as final girl Sidney Prescott, Variety reported that Courteney Cox has not signed the dotted line to reprise her role as Gale Weathers. But don't panic. It sounds like it's only a matter of time.

"I'm not officially signed on. I'm not, but there will be a Scream 7," the actress told reporter Marc Malkin during a recent charity event.

That doesn't mean Gale won't be back, but it does mean there's a little bit of a hold-up in terms of getting Cox back on board. It's unclear what the issue might be, as it was previously reported that the production of the film had been delayed due to her schedule and the schedule of director Kevin Williamson. While Williamson has written scripts and served as a producer on multiple Scream films, the seventh entry in the franchise will mark his first time directing one of the meta slashers.

Cox has her finger on the pulse of all things Scream, telling Variety that she's "excited" to see what Williamson brings to the table as a director and thinks he's a great choice. She's fully aware of what's happening with the script, adding that things are being rewritten "all the time." But she just hasn't made her final decision yet.

One thing that could potentially make her finalize her return? She would love to see David Arquette return as Dewey Riley, who was murdered by Ghostface in the fifth film while trying to protect the Carpenter sisters and Richie.

"Dewey is so loved by ‘Scream’ fans. They have to figure it out."

Last I checked, Dewey is still dead dead, so I don't know how they could bring him back unless it's through hallucinations, visions, or dream sequences.

As hyped as some fans are about Scream 7 and Sidney's return, many are also feeling franchise fatigue, especially after the firing of Melissa Barrera, who starred in Scream (2022) and Scream VI as Sam Carpenter alongside Jenna Ortega as her on-screen sister Tara. Shortly after Barrera's firing, Ortega announced she wouldn't be returning either due to scheduling conflicts with her hit Netflix series Wednesday, though some fans believe she also left in solidarity with Barrera.

Not long after, the previously hired director, Happy Death Day's Christopher Landon, also announced he was exiting the project.

Many of us wanted to see how the Carpenter sisters' arc was going to conclude and felt they brought a much-needed breath of fresh air to the film series. As it stands, Scream 7 has become a pretty controversial project.