The return of Hayden Panettiere to the Scream franchise is a delight to fans. She commanded the screen in Scream 4, and her return was something majorly hinted at in the director’s commentary of the fourth film and 2022’s fifth entry. We’ve learned a bit more about how the return came to be and how Panettiere was the one to push for it herself.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Panettiere opened up about her personal life as well as her movie career. The topic of Scream 6 came up and she beamed with joy about the project. She even claims she went to the directors, Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, asking for a role in the sequel.
“I called them up myself and was like, ‘So you guys don’t like happen to want to bring Kirby back do you?’ I did,” says Panettiere. She adds, “I wanted to be in it that badly.”
When pressed for any details on the return of Kirby to Scream, Panettiere remained tight-lipped. “I don’t think I can, but I don’t think anyone’s going to be disappointed,” says the actress. This film will be Panettiere’s first acting role since Nashville in 2018.
SEE ALSO: Scream 6 casts Henry Czerny as rumours circulate about Neve Campbell’s possible involvement
The return of Kirby Reed was hinted at in Scream 4’s director commentary, where the late Wes Craven claimed he wanted Kirby to return and she never died on-screen. This lead the fanbase to demand her return for the fifth entry, but they had to settle for some eagle-eyed Easter eggs.
In 2022’s Scream, Dewey can be seen scrolling through the missed calls on his phone and has a missed call from Kirby. In another scene, a YouTube video with the title ‘Interview with Woodsboro Survivor Kirby Reed!’ can be spotted. It seems like Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin already wanted Kirby to return as well.
SEE ALSO: Why Scream no longer needs Sidney Prescott
Scream 6 will see some major shake-ups to the formula. Not only will the film continue its shift to new characters like Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, but it will also shift the setting to New York.
Scream 6 is set for release on March 31st 2023.
