Here’s What Neve Campbell’s ‘Scream 6’ Exit Means for the Franchise
Scream was a huge hit on the silver screen, despite exclusively theaters during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett planned to continue with its legacy characters, including Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, for Scream 6. However, she recently exited the franchise. What does this mean for the future of the horror movie franchise?
Neve Campbell exits ‘Scream 6’ over failed salary negotiations
Some buzz initially circulated on the Internet that Campbell would not return for Scream 6 before Campbell’s statement. Many fans weren’t convinced of this news until Deadline reported that it was true. However, it isn’t due to a lack of interest in the script or wanting to move on from the role. Rather, failed salary negotiations ultimately resulted in the actor turning down the role.
“Sadly I won’t be making the next Scream film,” Campbell said. “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.”
The franchise earned over $744 million in global box office receipts, making it a massive success.
Campbell concluded: “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.”
Legacy characters return for ‘Scream 6’
Fans on social media shared mixed emotions about the news. Some are bummed out that Scream 6 will be the first installment to not include Campbell. Meanwhile, others hope that this allows the character to walk off into the sunset unscathed.
Nevertheless, other legacy characters will make a return. David Arquette’s Dewey Riley met his demise in Scream, but Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers is making a comeback. Additionally, Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby is returning after horror fans asked about the character for years. Of course, more recent cast additions Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, and Jenna Ortega will also star.
As a result, Scream 6 will still include different installment legacy characters, even without Campbell returning. After Sidney and Gale worked together in 2022’s Scream, this will certainly cut into Gale’s narrative as the only returning member of the original trio. Gale will need another character to bounce off of and it’s currently unclear who that will be.
Nevertheless, Scream 6 can continue its trend of incorporating old and new characters, even without Campbell. However, she will always remain at the center of the franchise. Screenwriters Guy Busick and James Vanderbilt will have to rework things, as will the studio with its marketing hook that heavily leaned on Campbell. Perhaps Panettiere’s return will be enough to draw fans into theater seats.
The filmmakers get more control over Sidney Prescott’s fate
Campbell’s Scream 6 exit is a tad shocking, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that audiences will never hear Sidney’s name again. The filmmakers have a lot of power over the character’s fate from here. They could kill her off-screen (which fans would hate) or they could mention her in dialogue and give her a peaceful ending. Regardless of what direction they go in, it would be wise to not ignore Sidney’s noticeable absence.
Scream 6 has a lot working for it after its highly successful predecessor. There’s a new group of teenagers to fend for themselves against another Ghostface copycat along with a couple of other recognizable faces. Will Sidney’s story play into their narrative moving forward? Campbell doesn’t have any control over where Scream 6 addresses her character’s fate. A lot is weighing on this decision because the horror fandom’s respect largely lies in their ability to handle her exit gracefully and with respect.
