If there’s one thing you can expect from a chat with Hayden Panettiere, it’s a healthy dose of charm, wit, and self-awareness. While promoting her latest horror-thriller Amber Alert, Hayden sat down with The Movie Dweeb for an interview that was as entertaining as it was revealing.

Hayden’s Reaction to the Until Dawn Movie News

In a moment of pure gold, I informed Hayden that a movie adaptation of Until Dawn was in the works. (This was before it was announced that the film would take an original storyline, leaving the game’s characters in the shadows.) Her reaction? A hilarious and impassioned plea for her rightful spot in the film:

“Will you get off my mark? I should be playing Sam. What advice? Well, probably make sure that they don’t allow you being naked and in a towel for so long upstage your acting.”

Classic Hayden.

For those unfamiliar, Hayden played Samantha “Sam” Giddings in Until Dawn, the 2015 interactive horror game that became a cult favorite. Sam, the intelligent and strong-willed final girl, faced off against masked killers, supernatural creatures, and—worst of all—an ice-cold bath. Hayden’s performance brought a grounded realism to the role, with her motion-captured facial expressions and voice acting making Sam one of the most beloved characters in the game.

What We Know About the Until Dawn Movie

While the game followed a group of friends trapped on a snow-covered mountain, the upcoming movie is said to take a fresh approach with a new cast and storyline. At the helm is director David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Shazam!), promising plenty of eerie atmospheres and spine-tingling moments. The cast includes Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Odessa A’zion, and Peter Stormare – who played Dr. Alan J. Hill in the video game, will portray a new character.

Though it’s bittersweet that Sam won’t make an appearance, fans can still hope for an Easter egg or a sneaky Hayden Panettiere cameo. Maybe she can crash the set and reclaim her spot?

Hayden on Amber Alert—And Why She Still Gets Scared Watching Herself

Despite being a horror veteran, Hayden admitted that watching herself in scary movies still sends shivers down her spine; “Even though we have filmed it, until you see it cut together and you hear the music put in, and all of that, it changes completely. At the end of every project, as an actor, we really have no idea what we’ve done.”

Amber Alert is a remake of the gripping short film of the same name. The film follows two people who spot a kidnapped child’s alert on the highway, leading to a suspenseful, high-stakes pursuit. With Panettiere at the forefront, it’s safe to say we’re in for an emotional and terrifying ride.

The One Role Hayden Would Love to Revisit

When asked if she could go back and remake any of her past projects, Hayden didn’t hesitate saying, “I mean, [for the] experience, I would kill to go back to Remember the Titans and be Sheryl Yoast again. I was ten years old and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.”

“I had so much fun and I had all of these gorgeous guys around me that I had crushes on, and I was like their little sister.”

It’s no surprise that Remember the Titans holds such a special place in her heart. The 2000 classic remains a beloved sports drama, and young Hayden stole scenes as the feisty football-loving daughter of Coach Bill Yoast. While a remake might not be in the cards, it’s clear that her love for the film—and her on-set memories—still burns bright.

Final Thoughts

Whether she’s revisiting old roles, giving hilarious acting advice, or scaring herself with her own performances, Hayden Panettiere remains as captivating as ever. With Amber Alert set to thrill audiences and Until Dawn creeping onto the big screen, there’s plenty to look forward to for fans of the scream queen. And hey—Hollywood, if you’re listening, maybe let Hayden have another crack at playing Sam? Just, you know, with a warmer wardrobe this time.