Actor Mason Gooding has shared a shocking behind-the-scenes story from the set of “Scream 7.” The young star revealed that he was battling a serious E. coli infection while filming an important scene for the upcoming horror movie.
Scream 7 features Gooding returning as Chad Meeks-Martin, a fan-favorite character in the franchise. But filming was not easy for him this time. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gooding explained that he became very sick just one day before shooting a major scene.
The illness caused intense nausea and weakness. Gooding said he kept a large “Home Depot bucket” hidden under the set so he could vomit between takes. As soon as the director called “cut,” he would quickly grab the bucket, get sick, clean up, and then return to filming when the cameras started rolling again.
Even though he felt terrible, Gooding continued working. He said the sickness actually helped his performance. In the film, his character Chad is once again facing danger from Ghostface, the masked killer. Gooding explained that Chad has “been through a lot,” and looking pale and exhausted made the character feel more real.
E. coli is a type of bacteria that usually spreads through contaminated food or water. It can cause vomiting, fever, and stomach pain. Thankfully, Gooding recovered after filming wrapped. He even joked that the experience felt like something out of an old survival video game.
Despite the tough situation, Gooding said he is proud of finishing the scene. “Scream 7” is set to hit theaters soon, and fans are excited to see the next chapter in the long-running horror franchise.
This story shows how actors sometimes push through difficult moments to bring powerful performances to the screen — even when they are not feeling their best.
“Scream 7” is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 27, 2026. The film continues the iconic franchise with new twists and terror from the mysterious Ghostface killer. After its theatrical release, “Scream 7” is expected to be available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+.