Hayden Panettiere is remaining focused on her acting career following a four-year Hollywood hiatus.

On Friday, it was announced that the Scream star has joined the ensemble cast for the upcoming film A Breed Apart from directors Griff and Nathan Furst.

The upcoming survival film serves as the sequel to the Wes Craven-produced horror flick The Breed (2006), directed by Nicholas Mastandrea, and is set in the same world.

According to Deadline, Panettiere will star alongside Virginia Gardner, Grace Caroline Currey, Joey Bragg, Troy Gentile, Riel Downs and Page Kennedy.

So far, there’s been no official word on exactly what role the former Nashville actress will play in the upcoming film.

Hayden Panettiere, who just celebrated her 35th birthday August 21, will star in the upcoming film A Breed Apart, which serves as the sequel to the Wes Craven-produced The Breed (2006)

The story is based on a pack of dogs that escape during a fictional The Breed 2 movie while shooting on a remote island, as per the reported synopsis.

Years later, ‘a group of YouTubers are drawn to the island to try and find the canines in a project they hope goes viral and which is the brainchild of influencer Vince Venture, who is played by Bragg.’

As the story unfolds, the reality they face turns into a fight for survival as each of the influencers must use their unique skills to stay alive. 

Griff Furst, who’s the vice-president of Curmudgeon Films, is known for his work as co-writer and director of Cold Moon (2016) and Mask Maker (2011). 

Older brother Nathan Furst, 46, is a television and film composer who has worked alongside his youngest brother on several productions.

After getting her start in acting in commercials back in the 1990s, Panettiere went on to hone her craft in the soaps One Life to Live (1994-1997) and Guiding Light (1996-2000).

She made the transition to film with the hit animation A Bug’s Life (1998).

Her Hollywood resume includes such films as Remember the Titans (2000), Raising Helen (2004), Tiger Cruise (2004), Racing Stripes (2005), Ice Princess (2005), Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006), I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009), Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy (2011), and Custody (2016).

A Breed Apart serves as the direct sequel to The Breed (2016), which starred Michelle Rodriguez of Fast & Furious fame in the cast

The Breed, directed by Nicholas Mastandrea, is a Wes Craven production

Her extensive television work includes Ally McBeal (2002), Malcolm in the Middle (2003-2005), as well as longtime gigs on Heroes (2006-2010), Nashville (2012-2018), and Kingdom Hearts (2002-2017).   

Other than a voice cameo in Scream (2022), Panettiere had only one film role, when she reprised her role as Kirby Reed in Scream 4 (2023) since she last starred in the courtroom drama Custody (2016) over an eight year period.

It turns out the actress struggled with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter Kaya in December 2014, whom she shares with former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.

In fact, the now nine-year-old lives with her famous dad in Europe, and already speaks five different languages: English, Russian, Ukrainian, German, and now French, People previously revealed.

Following her last breakup with the Ukrainian native, she began a tumultuous on/off relationship with Brian Hickerman, who she previously accused of physical and emotional abuse in 2019.

Along with A Breed Apart, Panettiere will soon star in the thriller film, Amber Alert, with Tyler James Williams and Kevin Dunn that’s being directed by Kerry Bellessa, which is currently in post-production 

The Palisades, New York native revealed this past April that she’s been working on her memoir that’s ‘an unprecedented glimpse into her storied life and acclaimed career,’ as reported by People.

Panettiere has starred in several long-running shows, including Heroes (2006-2010), Nashville (2012-2018) and Kingdom Hearts (2002-2017)

Next up, Panettiere stars in the new thriller film Amber Alert

The actress has remained friendly with her ex-partner, former boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko; their daughter Kaya lives with the Ukrainian native in Europe

Tentatively titled Scream And Break Free: Addiction, Trauma, And How The Cheerleader Saved Herself opens up about her decades-long career and her struggles with alcoholism and addiction. 

‘I was on top of the world and I ruined it,’ she admitted in an interview in 2022.

The actress has remained friendly with Klitschko after both of their separations in 2011 and the last time in 2018.

Panettiere’s upcoming book is slated to be released in early part of 2026.