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Scream 2 star Jerry O’Connell says he’s “shocked” that his character Derek hasn’t been brought back into the franchise fold, and claims he’s done with the series until that happens.
Even though the Scream movies are grounded in reality, a recurring theme is that death isn’t always the final nail in a character’s coffin.
Fans believed that Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) had expired for more than a decade before she returned to the horror franchise very much alive, while multiple characters have appeared to be fatally wounded before dramatic resurrection.
In the Scream 7, Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher received a wildly belated revival, which has prompted another old school star to demand his own return. Warning: Ancient Scream 2 spoilers ahead….
Jerry O’Connell demands Scream revival as “apparition or memory”
Dimension FilmsJerry O’Connell as Derek in Scream 2.
Jerry O’Connell played Sidney Prescott’s devoted boyfriend Derek Feldman in Scream 2, who spent the movie positioned as the villain, before being shot through the heart by the real Ghostface.
During an interview about new movie Summer’s Last Resort, Dexerto’s Jacqui Faiman asked for his thoughts on other Scream alumni returning to the franchise, and whether he’d like to do the same.
“100%” came O’Connell’s response. “Spoiler Alert – though it’s been like 20 years – my character dies in the second one. But they’re bringing all these characters back that have died, [and] they haven’t called me!
"I am boycotting all their movies until they bring me back."
Scream star Jerry O'Connell is happy to return to the franchise despite his character not surviving the original. pic.twitter.com/btNXm8HZwu
— ScreenTime (@screentime) July 7, 2026
O’Connell joked: “I’m boycotting all Scream movies until they bring me back. I’m not going to see them. I’m not even going to talk about them. I’m not going to give them any press.
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“I’m actually amazed; I’m shocked that Neve Campbell hasn’t said, ‘You know what? We gotta bring Jerry back.’ Even as a ghost, or an apparition, or like a memory, or a flashback.
“I am boycotting all Scream movies until I am brought back. When they brought back Matthew Lillard, and they didn’t bring me back – like, that’s it. Enough is enough.”
While we wait for news about the next Scream movie, you can watch Jerry O’Connell’s new film Summer’s Last Resort, which is now streaming on Tubi. Or if you’re after more scary stuff, check out our list of best horror movies ever.
