Kirby lives! THR has reported that Hayden Panettiere has closed a deal to reprise the role of Kirby Reed in the next Scream sequel.
Hayden Panettiere first appeared in Scream 4 and her knowledgeable character proved to be quite popular with fans. Kirby did meet the wrong end of Ghostface’s blade in the film, but her fate was never clearly shown on screen, and fans have long believed that she survived. The most recent film actually confirmed her survival in an easter egg. When Richie (Jack Quaid) watches a YouTube video criticizing Stab 8, the top-recommended video on the side of the screen is an interview with “Woodsboro survivor” Kirby Reed.
After the death of Wes Craven, it seemed that the Scream franchise was done, but Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett resurrected the series earlier this year with the fifth installment. Scream was quite successful, grossing over $140 million worldwide, and Spyglass Media and Paramount Pictures quickly got the ball rolling on a sixth film. Plot details are naturally being kept under wraps, but the new Scream movie will “continue with the four survivors of the Ghostface killings as they leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.” It was announced yesterday that Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, and Jenna Ortega would be returning. Courtney Cox has said that Gale Weathers is in the script and Neve Campbell has also been approached about reprising her role of Sidney Prescott.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will direct the new Scream movie, which James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick will script. Production will kick off this summer and the sequel has already been slated for a March 31, 2023 release. How do you feel about Hayden Panettiere returning as Kirby for the new Scream sequel?