Joel McHale is no stranger to flipping between genres, but stepping onto the set of Scream 7 felt surreal even for him. Growing up devouring slasher films while attending the University of Washington, McHale admitted to Collider, “I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe I was there. The offer came in, and they were like, ‘Alright, you’re gonna be there in a week.’ I couldn’t believe it. There was everyone.”

Once cameras rolled, that wide-eyed excitement didn’t fade. McHale pinpointed precisely what makes the iconic horror franchise tick, saying, “Scream was so fun and terrifying. There were jokes, but at the same time, there was a killer. It was flipping a lot of switches at once. So, yeah. It’s the same thing when you’re a kid; you’re like, ‘I wish I could be in an Indiana Jones movie.’ That’s what you dream of.“

The actor didn’t take the opportunity lightly, fully aware of the creative giants behind the series, especially original screenwriter Kevin Williamson. “Then with Scream, you get Kevin Williamson, who’s a fucking legend and genius. Neve [Campbell], she’s an Oscar-caliber actor and star. You take it seriously. Not that you wouldn’t, but you’re doing these heavy drama scenes, and you know Kevin’s building it in his brain. I try to serve the character that he wrote in those situations and receive direction, hopefully, and listen to it. Working with Kevin, I couldn’t believe it.“

Honing Horror Chops

This respect comes from his previous horror experiences, notably in films like Scott Derrickson’s Deliver Us from Evil, the revenge thriller Becky, and Shudder’s seasonal slasher It’s a Wonderful Knife. Reflecting on the latter, he told Collider, “That was one of those journeys where you’re like, ‘Imagine not having a child.’ It’s heavy. Really fun to make, but at the same time, it is heavy. I love the director [Tyler MacIntyre] and writer [Michael Kennedy]. That was one of those tiny little movies that you’re like, ‘I hope it works.’ And it did, thank God.”

McHale further elaborated on how subtle, seemingly non-scary moments on set can be transformed into something terrifying on screen, a talent he attributes to filmmakers like Derrickson and Williamson. “At the time when you’re making it, you’re like, ‘Oh, this is not necessarily scary to this character, what the scene is.’ But then you watch it, and you’re like, ‘Oh, you’re putting this thing together, and it’s wonderfully terrifying.’”

Despite his comedic roots—from hosting The Soup to starring in Community (alongside Scream 4‘s Alison Brie), appearing in Yellowjackets and leading game shows like The 1% Club—McHale passionately champions horror’s rising status. “Horror was such a stepchild, and the same thing with sci-fi. It wasn’t taken seriously… But horror was so popular, and yet people still shrugged it off. Now, thankfully, they take it very seriously because it’s such good filmmaking.”

Sharing the Screams at Home

This appreciation extends into his personal life, where McHale introduces his sons to fresh horror experiences, fostering the thrill of discovery. “One of my sons, we try to watch an independent horror movie whenever we can. He won’t let me watch things I’ve already seen because he wants to have the experience of this new thing together. Even Sharknado. Sharknado’s hilarious.”

From a lifelong slasher enthusiast to a starring role in Scream 7, Joel McHale’s trajectory beautifully blends genuine fandom, deep respect for genre pioneers, and an insightful appreciation for horror’s nuanced storytelling.

Scream 7 hits theaters everywhere early next year on February 27.