Neve Campbell‘s time as Sidney Prescott has come to a close (for now).
The actor told Variety that she will not be returning for Scream 6 after rejecting an “offer that was presented to [her that] did not equate to the value [she has] brought to the franchise.” Campbell has played Sidney Prescott in every installment in the long-running slasher series beginning with 1996’s Scream.
In a statement, Campbell elaborated on her decision to skip Scream 6:
“Sadly, I won’t be making the next Scream film. As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise. It’s been a very difficult decision to move on. 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.”
Honestly, if I was Spyglass Media and Paramount, I’d pay Campbell whatever she asked for if she was a co-lead in the film. I’d wager Scream 6 was gearing up to use Sidney in a small supporting capacity again and if that is the case I can understand why Paramount didn’t want to divert too much of the budget into paying for Campbell’s return. It’s a shame, but it’s also show business.
In other Scream casting news, Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend’s Wedding) has closed a deal to join the cast of the sixth film. He will reportedly be playing a cop and maybe a new love interest for Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers. Okay, that last part is speculation on my end, but I could easily see it happening.
Scream 6 will begin shooting later this month. Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Hayden Panettiere, and Cox are all expected to reprise their roles from previous Scream films in the upcoming sixth installment.
Plot details for the film are scarce, but it will start with “the four survivors of the Ghostface killings [in 2022’s Scream] as they leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.”
The untitled sixth Scream film is scheduled to hit theaters on March 31, 2023.
Are you disappointed that Neve Campbell won’t be back for Scream 6? Do you think Dermot Mulroney’s cop character will survive to see the credits roll? Tell us your thoughts down in the comments!
