Mason Gooding Hints at a Unique and Domestic Twist in Scream 7
Scream 7 star Mason Gooding is offering fans a sneak peek into what they can anticipate the next encounter with Ghostface.
“I’ll say [the movie is] domestic, I’ll say it’s homely and unconventional,” Gooding, 29, shared exclusively with Us Weekly regarding the forthcoming horror film.
The actor, who has portrayed Chad Meeks-Martin since Scream 5, also discussed the experience of having creator Kevin Williamson take on the directing role.
“From a creative standpoint, [he] is the dream, because he created that world,” Gooding explains. “Having an understanding of the world-building and the ethos behind Scream has been incredibly gratifying, giving me a deeper appreciation of the series as a whole.”
Gooding emphasizes that while Chad is simply “one piece of the greater machination” of the universe, he still gains a lot from Williamson’s insights. He noted that both as a cast member and “as a fan” himself, he feels Williamson’s involvement will be an “all-encompassing addition to the movies, capturing all the tonal and world-building elements that audiences hope for in a sequel or any franchise.”
Scream first debuted in 1996, following Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she confronted the notorious Ghostface. She starred alongside Courteney Cox and David Arquette, who played journalist Gale Weathers and deputy Dewey Riley, respectively. The film’s success led to three additional sequels directed by Wes Craven in 1997, 2000, and 2011.
The franchise saw a revival nearly a decade later with Scream 5, which featured new protagonists Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) along with friends—including Gooding’s Chad and his twin sister, Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown)—seeking Sidney’s help as a new serial killer stalks them.
While Campbell was absent from Scream 6, she will return alongside Cox, Gooding, and Brown for Scream 7, following Barrera and Ortega’s exits from the franchise. The seventh installment is set to bring back some other legacy characters, with Arquette reprising his role as Dewey, along with Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley, who both played Ghostface in the earlier films.
Gooding has made a mark in the horror genre with Scream and the upcoming Valentine’s Day massacre slasher Heart Eyes, but he’s also focused on showcasing his versatility as an actor. This month, he reunites with Dylan Sprouse for their second action film together, Under Fire.
This buddy-comedy features Gooding and Sprouse, 33, as two undercover agents for the FBI and DEA who must reveal their true identities to each other during a botched cartel deal. Despite some trust issues, they need to collaborate as a sniper aims to eliminate them both.
Gooding shares that there’s a sense of “emotional catharsis” that comes from performing in high-stress situations—“you obviously can’t punch anyone in the face” in real life, he notes—yet the real appeal lies in the “playtime” he has with Sprouse, whom he considers the ideal co-star.
“I [spent every day] trying to ensure he feels as seen and appreciated as he makes his co-stars feel,” Gooding reflects on working with the former Disney star. “The fact that we also had opportunities to delve into our emotions, and Dylan was eager to go there, along with our director Steven [C. Miller] guiding us, made the experience not just an exciting action movie, but also a chance to connect with some really engaging characters.”
Gooding elaborated on the significance of establishing safe relationships with castmates that can mirror “that of romantic [ones] in many cases,” particularly in a film relying on the chemistry between its leads.
“As long as we’re articulating our thoughts and feelings, we grasp the other’s comfort level or emotional readiness more clearly,” he tells Us. “Though we might not have had intimacy coordinators on set, fostering a safe environment to communicate and express one’s boundaries is crucial, not just in filmmaking, but in life as well.”
Under Fire is set to premiere in select theaters and on digital platforms on August 15. A release date for Scream 7 has yet to be confirmed.
