Joel McHale revealed that he replaced Patrick Dempsey in the role of Mark Evans for Scream 7. Dempsey had played the character in Scream 3.
McHale, who was cast last January as Sidney Prescott's husband in the Kevin Williamson-directed film, discussed the recasting on the Inside of You podcast.
He said Dempsey was supposed to return but scheduling or pay issues may have prevented it. McHale noted he arrived on set to find Dempsey's nameplate on his chair and tried to keep it.
Dempsey had said in 2024 that talks were underway and he was waiting on the script. Sidney mentioned her husband Mark in Scream 5, leading many to assume Dempsey would reprise the role.
