Among the performances for which Hayden Panettiere has been most fondly remembered in light of her death at age 36 are her memorable turns in the Scream franchise.

Panettiere, who died Sunday, got her start as a child actress in projects like Remember the Titans before starring on such series as Heroes and Nashville and in features like Ice Princess and I Love You, Beth Cooper. In 2011, she originated the role of Kirby Reed in Scream 4 before reprising the character for 2023’s Scream VI after fans campaigned for her return.

“The world is losing a very talented actress and beautiful soul who has shared and been revealing about her struggles along the way,” Nancy Naylor, who worked as a casting director for Scream 4, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “One hopes that there’s a happy ending, but it doesn’t always turn out that way in real life.”

Scream 4 marked not only Panettiere’s introduction to the beloved slasher series that filmmaker Wes Craven initiated with 1996’s original movie, but it also served as Naylor’s first and only project in the franchise. She worked with fellow casting directors Avy Kaufman and Rick Rosenthal on the sequel that saw the return of franchise mainstays Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, along with the additions of series newcomers Emma Roberts, Mary McDonnell, Anthony Anderson and Alison Brie.

“Hayden had been known from Heroes and had been working as a child actress, and the industry was aware of her,” Naylor recalls. “When her name came up, she seemed like a really terrific contender for the role of Kirby and a great contrast to Emma Roberts. They were just visually and energetically very different, and we thought they would be great together.”

In Scream 4, Kirby (Panettiere) is a horror-obsessed Woodsboro high school student and the best friend to Jill, who is played by Roberts and is the cousin of Campbell’s character, Sidney. Naylor recalls Panettiere’s positive energy when she landed the part: “I remember thinking she felt very happy. She was very excited to be in the mix and to get the role.”

While reflecting on what made her stand out in the audition process, the casting director says, “It was her fierce warrior nature for the role. The character has this incredible scene where she’s on a phone call with Ghostface, and she has to save her friend and [rattle] off a giant list of genre films in a desperate hour. I knew that she would have the passion and the energy to make that scene so believable, so heartbreaking, so intense — and she absolutely delivered all of those qualities.”

David F. Sandberg, the director of 2025’s “Until Dawn” film adaptation, is set to direct a new psychological horror movie, titled “Mommy’s Home,” for Lionsgate.

In a Monday announcement, Lionsgate shared that Sandberg was tapped to helm the movie, which was written by screenwriter and actor James Morosini, best known for writing, directing and starring in 2022’s “I Love My Dad.”

According to the official logline, “Mommy’s Home” follows “a young dad whose family life becomes terrifyingly unhinged when his cryogenically preserved mom is unfrozen and sent to live with him.”

“David’s mastery of horror and off-kilter sense of humor make him the perfect match for this material,” Erin Westerman, president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in a statement. “In his hands, the movie will be deeply disturbing in the best possible way, while giving great actors the opportunity to really go all in and embrace their darker sides. We have loved James Morisini’s script from the moment we read it. He’s written something incredibly original, with such a distinctive voice, great characters and a dark, twisted sense of humor. We’re thrilled that David responded so strongly to the material.”

In addition to directing, Sandberg is producing alongside Lotta Losten, who produce through their company Mångata. Additional producers include Craig Flores, Dawn Olmstead and Anonymous Content. Nathan Kahane and Morosini will executive produce, as will David Levine, Garrett Kemble and Ryan Schwartz on behalf of Anonymous Content.

Scott O’Brien and Maria Ascanio are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Dan Freedman negotiated the deal on behalf of the studio.

Outside of his “Until Dawn” big screen adaptation, Sandberg is best known for directing 2023’s “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” 2019’s “Shazam!,” 2016’s “Lights Out” and “Annabelle: Creation.” He is represented by CAA, Gotham Group and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.

Morosini, who sold the original screenplay “Mommy’s Home” to Lionsgate and the elevated comedy spec “Inner Child” to Universal, which is being adapted for the Lego Universe, is set next to direct his original “Bulls” with Dylan O’Brien, Lewis Pullman and Kaia Gerber attached as the leads. He is represented by CAA and Eric Brooks and Matt Rosen at GGSSC.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) made her first public appearance in some time this week while launching her new YouTube talk show — and along the way revealed the nine new tattoos covering her arms.

The new ink caused much conversation online.

The outgoing Republican congresswoman shared in February to Politico that she got all nine tattoos in rapid succession between late 2023 and early 2024 during a period of turmoil in her personal and professional life.

Mace joked on Twitter that her ink should “NOT” be a news story.

“Thoughts and prayers to all those affected by my sleeves,” the outgoing congresswoman wrote on X. “Made the mistake of opening my social media this afternoon. Some of yall are OUT OF CONTROL. My biceps should NOT be a news story. We have more important things to worry about. Goodness. And God Bless America.”

Mace unveiled her tattoos on her new YouTube show “Get Maced” over the weekend, appearing in a sleeveless tank top. The daily web show will cover the political headlines of the day.

Her broadcast scheduled for Monday afternoon plans to address her tattoo reveal, titled “Nancy Mace BREAKS THE INTERNET with Tattoos & Exposes the Radical Takeover of America.”

Her political tenure in Washington is ending because she gave up her House seat to run for Governor of South Carolina and suffered a decisive defeat June 9.

Some users on X called the tattoo reveal a cry for attention. Political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen shaded the congresswoman saying that he wished he “loved anything as much as Nancy Mace loves attention.”

Far-right political activist Laura Loomer defended Mace, saying that it shouldn’t matter if she has tattoos. She was grateful to her for being one of the few members of Congress “who speaks truth about Islamic terror and she is a major advocate for animals.”

“I don’t really care if she wants to be tattooed,” she wrote. “Not sure why so many people attack her in such a personal manner. I can think of way worse members of Congress.”

Who cares is Nancy Mace has tattoos? I for one appreciate how she has used her time in office to speak out for what is right.

She is one of the few members of Congress who speaks truth about Islamic terror and she is a major advocate for animals. I don’t really care if she…

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 17, 2026

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