The Scream franchise is one of the most iconic in the slasher genres, and has been an enduring horror staple since its inception in the '90s. The franchise has always had a very meta outlook on slashers, which was always part of the charm, and one of the main reasons that the films stood out amongst their competitors. To this point, there have been five Scream movies, with a sixth on the way in March. All of the films have had characters from the first, original movie return, even if they're no longer the main protagonists. Scream 6 will be the exception to that rule, and a fairly major one at that, as Neve Campbell declined to return to her role as Sidney Prescott in Scream 6.
Sidney Prescott was the main character of the first three Scream movies, and is arguably a main protagonist in films 4 and 5 as well, though there are other characters who come in and share the stage. However, fundamentally, this series has always involved Sidney and revolved around her or her family in some way. Since Campbell isn't returning this time around, it seems the focus will be shifted away from Sidney for the first time. So why did the franchise fail to get Campbell to come back, and how will this affect the world of Scream going forward?
Was Neve Campbell Going To Be In Scream 6?
It seems as though the original plan for the franchise was always to have Sidney Prescott at the heart of it in some way or another. After appearing in the fifth installment, Campbell was supposed to be in Scream 6 as well, before the circumstances surrounding the film caused her to turn down the role. Despite her absence from the movie, there will apparently still be plenty of references to Sidney throughout Scream 6, according to Jenna Ortega, who will be starring in the film. Allegedly, there are nods to Sidney that were written into the script, and Ortega also commented on how much respect the rest of the cast has for Campbell and for the character. As for cast members who are returning, Courtney Cox will be reprising her role as Gale Weathers-Riley, and Hayden Panettiere (last seen in Scream 4) will be returning to the character of Kirby Reed.
Why Did Neve Campbell Turn Down Scream 6?
Campbell's choice to not return to her iconic role basically comes down to salary negotiations, as she felt that the amount they were offering her was not in line with the value she brings to the franchise. In an interview with People, she said, "I did not feel that what I was being offered equated to the value that I bring to this franchise, and have brought to this franchise, for 25 years". She went on to say, "And as a woman in this business, I think it’s really important for us to be valued and to fight to be valued." Campbell felt that this was an issue of sexism and that a man in a similar position would not have had to deal with the same undervaluing.
"I honestly don't believe that if I were a man and had done five installments of a huge blockbuster franchise over 25 years, that the number that I was offered would be the number that would be offered to a man," Campbell stated. "And in my soul, I just couldn't do that. I couldn't walk on set feeling that — feeling undervalued and feeling the unfairness, or lack of fairness, around that." Campbell also reflected on the fact that it would be hard to move on from the franchise and had a message for her fans: “To all my ‘Scream’ fans, I love you. You’ve always been so incredibly supportive to me. I’m forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years.”
The Scream cast seems to be supportive of Campbell's decision, even praising her for it. Fellow cast mate Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy in Scream) said, "I absolutely respect her for that. I think that it’s hard to be a woman in this industry and in any industry at all. If any person, but especially any woman, feels that she deserves more — whether that’s a financial situation with work, out of a relationship, out of fill in the blank — if she can walk away, I support that.” Jenna Ortega also said that the newest installment of Scream is going to have a lot going on, and be "so action-heavy and so gore-heavy" that fans may not even notice Sidney's absence.
What Are Neve Campbell's Upcoming Projects?
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Campbell is a part of more than just the Scream movies and has quite a few upcoming projects in the works. She is currently starring in Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer, based on the Michael Connelly novels of the same name that follows a lawyer who runs his practice on the road out of his Lincoln Town Car, which has already been renewed for a second season. She is also set to appear in the post-apocalyptic comedy-action series Twisted Metal alongside Anthony Mackie, which will premiere on Peacock sometime in 2023.
Campbell's other big project is in partnership with the Red Cross, in a new PSA called A Bloody Nightmare, which has Campbell return to her horror roots to encourage people to donate blood. Campbell is passionate about the cause, saying, "I think it's so important, so crucial, for people to get out there and give blood." While Campbell might not be returning to Scream, it's clear that she's still focusing her energy on projects she truly believes in.