Summary

Dempsey's character is not in Scream 7, but fans hope for his return in a future installment for a new storyline.
Dempsey's role could help explore connections to previous films like Scream 3, suggesting possible new plotlines for future movies.
Fans anticipate Dempsey's return to the franchise due to his engaging performance in other horror films, leaving room for creative new dynamics.

It's common for horror franchises to bring back original characters who have passed away. Maybe they appear as ghosts haunting the living or stories are rewritten to make it seem like they never died in the first place. Since Patrick Dempsey's Scream 3 character Mark Kincaid is very much alive, at least as far as fans know, everyone thought he would come back for Scream 7. Then, when it became clear that Joel McHale would play Mark Evans, Sidney Prescott's (Neve Campbell) husband, it seemed like fans had to say goodbye to the other Mark.

Dempsey explained that he didn't return for Scream 7 because the schedule "didn't work out," but does that mean that Mark Kincaid will never come back for a future movie? If the slasher franchise continues beyond Scream 7, it seems possible that Dempsey could reprise his role.

Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) looking at her phone in Scream (2022)

Scream (2022) Took Big Risks, According To One Fan & I Think Scream 7 Needs To Go Even Further

Scream (2022) was a fresh and exciting addition to the popular slasher franchise, and when Scream 7 comes out, I hope it's just as creative.

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By Aya Tsintziras

Despite Patrick Dempsey's Scream 7 Absence, Here's How He Could Come Back In The Future

Patrick Dempsey as Mark Kincaid in Scream 3

While Detective Mark Kincaid won't appear in Scream 7, it seems likely that Mark could return to a future Scream movie to track down Ghostface and figure out their motive. If Scream 8 is greenlit and made, then perhaps the new killer could be inspired by the Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger (Scott Foley), and Mark Kincaid could be assigned to the case again. He could use his expertise and his memories of that time in his life to help out.

Although Scream 7 shouldn't make some of Scream 3's mistakes, the third movie in the slasher franchise does have a logical killer with a logical motive. It's possible that the Ghostface in Scream 8 could be connected to Roman. It would be great to see Mark Kincaid again and hear what he thinks about the situation. Since Scream 7 is bringing back so many legacy characters, including Roman Bridger, it seems likely that Scream 8 would continue this trend. It would be fun to see Mark Kincaid again and hear what he's been up to.

Patrick Dempsey's Scream 7 character Mark Kincaid could also fill the void left behind by Dewey Riley (David Arquette). For now, Dewey isn't returning to the Scream franchise, and fans would still love to see a funny, smart, and goofy detective working on the case. Although Mark Kincaid and Dewey have different personalities, there would still be room in the franchise for someone who knows what they're doing and is on Sidney's side.

Most of all, Patrick Dempsey should reprise his role of Mark Kincaid in a future Scream movie because the movie could joke about how fans thought Sidney was married to him. Even though Mason Gooding said Scream 7 is gory, audiences know the slasher franchise will always maintain a clever sense of humor. The characters poke fun at themselves and the horror genre, and it would be memorable to see Sidney and Mark laughing about this misunderstanding. It's also possible that if Mark Evans dies in Scream 7 or if he and Sidney get divorced, or he becomes the new Ghostface, she and Mark Kincaid could reprise their chemistry from Scream 3. At the very least, they could be friends, and since Sidney definitely needs at least one good friend in her life, Mark's return would be welcome.

What Other Horror Movies Has Patrick Dempsey Starred In?

Besides playing Mark Kincaid in Scream 3, Patrick Dempsey impressed horror fans when he played Sheriff Eric Newlon in the 2023 movie Thanksgiving, which was directed by Eli Roth. The film has a meaningful ending and centers around a slasher villain terrorizing the residents of Plymouth, Massachusetts around the Thanksgiving holiday. Like the Scream franchise, it has some campy characters and funny moments but also some gruesome kills.

Since Dempsey appeared in this fan-favorite film, many wondered if that meant he would continue his horror career and reprise his role of Mark in Scream 7. Whether or not he returns to the slasher franchise in the future, horror fans should watch his engaging performance in Thanksgiving.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Roth praised Dempsey's career and said:

"I think Patrick is in an interesting place in his career. He is in that Paul Newman moment where he is doing Thanksgiving, he's doing Ferrari. He's such an interesting actor and can kind of do whatever he wants."

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