The highly anticipated seventh installment in the long-running horror franchise, "Scream 7," is poised for a significant box office debut, with projections ranging from $45 million to $50 million in North America. These estimates suggest a series-best opening weekend, signaling a successful revitalization of the property by Paramount and Spyglass, despite a turbulent production journey.

The path to the big screen for "Scream 7" has been fraught with challenges, including dramatic cast and creative team exits that necessitated a major script overhaul. In late 2023, Melissa Barrera, who had starred in the 2022 "Scream" reboot and 2023's "Scream VI," was controversially fired by Spyglass over social media messages deemed antisemitic. Barrera had reshared posts accusing Israel of "genocide and ethnic cleansing" and a magazine article regarding alleged Israeli government distortions of the Holocaust.

Following Barrera's dismissal, her on-screen sister, Jenna Ortega, also announced her departure from "Scream 7," citing scheduling conflicts with her popular Netflix series "Wednesday." The film's original director, Christopher Landon, subsequently left the project due to receiving death threats in the wake of Barrera's firing, a decision he was not responsible for.

At a critical juncture, "Scream" producers turned to franchise veteran Kevin Williamson to direct the seventh film. Williamson, along with Guy Busick, a writer from the previous two installments, co-wrote a heavily retooled screenplay to accommodate the absence of Barrera and Ortega, whose characters had been central protagonists in "Scream VI." This rewrite reportedly cost approximately $500,000, a sum considered manageable for a franchise of this magnitude.

Previously, Paramount executives had expressed concerns about proceeding with "Scream" movies without Neve Campbell, the resilient heroine Sidney Prescott, who had opted out of "Scream VI" due to a salary dispute. However, "Scream VI" defied expectations by grossing $161 million globally, the highest haul since the first two films, which limited Paramount's influence on creative decisions managed by Spyglass.

For "Scream 7," with the absence of the in-demand Jenna Ortega, Paramount and Spyglass recognized the need for a compelling marketing strategy. Spyglass chief Gary Barber, known for his tough deal-making, saw Campbell gain significant leverage. This resulted in her securing a nearly $7 million deal, a substantial raise and a notable salary within the horror genre. Additionally, Courteney Cox, a fixture in every "Scream" film since the 1996 original, received a $2 million payday.

Industry experts, like Shawn Robbins of Fandango, emphasize Campbell's crucial role, stating, "Neve Campbell is to ‘Scream’ what Jamie Lee Curtis is for the ‘Halloween’ franchise. She’s a big draw, especially for older generations who grew up with the original films." The studios are banking on nostalgia and the enduring appeal of horror to propel the series to new commercial heights, though Paramount is tempering expectations with a projected debut closer to $40 million, while rivals predict figures exceeding $50 million.

The film's production costs have also escalated, with "Scream 7" carrying a $45 million budget, up from "Scream VI's" $35 million. This increase is partly attributed to inflation impacting various aspects from set construction to travel expenses, alongside the year-long delay. Despite initial fears of lost momentum and fan backlash over cast changes, the sentiment has shifted, with Robbins noting, "now the pendulum is swinging. This is driving a lot of interest about how certain characters are coming back." Insiders also suggest that plans for an eighth Ghostface return are already in motion, indicating the killer's reign of terror is far from over.