- The 'Scream' franchise is struggling
- Neve Campbell was the original face of the series
- Campbell could look to come back and revive the storyline
Between firing Melissa Barrera over her pro-Palestine social posts, and then then departure of co-star Jenna Ortega, and the lack of a director now that Christopher Landon is gone from the project, the future for the seventh film in the series isn’t looking great.
The original franchise darling and superstar Neve Campbell did not appear in the sixth movie, which opened and closed in spring 2023 to a $168 million total box office, due to pay disputes. Campbell did appear in 2022’s fifth 'Scream' film, reprising her role as "Sidney Prescott."
Will 'Scream' survive the fall?
In a shocking twist that could slice through the horror film scene like "Ghostface's" knife, Neve Campbell isn't slamming the door shut on a potential return to the blood-curdling 'Scream' universe! After a salary spat saw her bow out of the franchise in June 2022, Campbell has now dished to 'Variety' that she's open to a comeback "under the right circumstances."
Campbell, who immortalised "Sidney Prescott" in the first five films, dropped the bombshell that she wasn't going to reprise her role in the sixth instalment, which screamed its way into theatres in March 2023.
"Sadly, I won't be making the next Scream film," she lamented to 'Us Weekly', citing the need to "establish my value" in the cutthroat world of Hollywood, especially when it comes to her iconic role in 'Scream'. She felt the offer on the table didn't match the value she's added to the franchise over a spine-chilling 25 years.
On Saturday, Campbell told the outlet that she hoped the franchise would continue, saying, "I honestly don’t have no idea what their plans are. I know a lot has gone on around it and I’m sure they’re spinning a little bit at the moment."
"These movies mean a lot to us and they mean a lot to the fans. I go to these conventions sometimes and I meet the fans and they’re frantic about these films. They love them. These films mean a lot to them and these characters mean a lot to them. So even for their sake, I would love to see it continue."
Will "Sidney Prescott" live to scream another day?
Looking back on that decision now, Campbell said she took a stand "not in an egotistical way" but as a way to fight for what she believes is right. "We have to stand up for women in this business and know what we’re worth. That hasn’t changed for me," she continued on Saturday. "So, if they were to come back to me, it would have to be with a respectful offer that I felt was in keeping with what I bring to this franchise."
This led back to the original question, and Campbell repeated it herself. "Would I do it? There are millions of fans out there of this franchise. These movies mean a lot to people. They mean a lot to me. They mean a lot to [Kevin Williamson]. They meant a lot to [Wes Craven]. They meant a lot to all of these cast members, and we would all love to see this franchise continue. I would hate to see it burn. So, we’ll see."
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The fact is, Campbell's return might be the only way to save a dying show. After all, people love a good comeback, and seeing Neve back on the big screen could be just the hit of nostalgia producers need to get the show back on the road. If we were them, we would be making the call...
As the 'Scream' series faces a future as uncertain as its characters' survival odds, all eyes are on Campbell. Will she don the mantle of "Sidney Prescott" once more, or is this the final curtain call for the original final girl? Only time will tell if Campbell will answer the call for another round of terror.
