After the massive success of Scream (2022), it was no major surprise when the studios announced that they had already greenlit a follow-up film, the currently untitled Scream 6 (2023). What is surprising, is that the series may have lost its lead star!
“Consider This An Alternative Ending”
While rumors have been circulating for some time now, Deadline reports that Neve Campbell, who has starred in the entire Scream film franchise as the final girl standing Sidney Prescott, would officially be sitting out the upcoming sixth film in the series. In a statement, Campbell said:
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.
Across the five films that Campbell starred in, the Scream franchise has grossed $744M-plus worldwide. The most recent film, Scream (2022) (better known to most audiences as Scream 5 or 5cream), kicked off this year with a solid take of $140M globally. That film introduced a whole new cast with appearances from the franchise’s big three; Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers, and David Arquette’s Dewey Riley.
Thankfully, Neve Campbell has had no shortage of work for herself lately. She currently stars in the Netflix drama The Lincoln Lawyer and recently signed on to Peacock’s upcoming adaptation of the Twisted Metal video game series alongside Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, and Thomas Haden Church.
Respecting the Decision
During an interview with ComicBook, David Arquette mentioned that he was “not looped in” on the plans for the new Scream film as his character, Dewey, was killed off in the last film. When asked about Neve Campbell’s decision to leave the franchise behind, Arquette expressed that he understood and respected her decision:
I’d love for her to be a part of it, A Scream movie without Sidney is kind of unfortunate, but I understand her decision. It’s all a business in a way, they have to balance all these elements to fit a budget and produce a film. I get it, she’s still alive! She can absolutely be in future ones, but I think it’s up to fans to call for that in the future. That is sudden, it’s a business, though. I respect her decision, for sure.
Who Else Could Return?
While it looks like we won’t be seeing Neve Campbell or David Arquette in Scream 6 (2023), we can at least rest soundly knowing that not every original franchise lead is ready to leave the franchise behind. Courtney Cox has confirmed she is back for another face-off with Ghostface. That leaves Cox as the only returning cast member of the big three. There is still a chance that other familiar faces could turn up again. Hayden Panettiere is confirmed to make her return to the Scream franchise as Kirby Reed from Scream 4 (2011), so there is still plenty of hope out there for fans!
Also returning for Scream 6 (2023) is the entire core surviving cast. Joining them is franchise newcomer Dermot Mulroney, who was recently added to the quickly growing cast.
The next chapter of the Scream franchise will see our survivors leaving the horror of Woodsboro behind them to start a new chapter in their lives (because that worked so well for everyone in Scream 2 and Scream 3). The film will hit theaters on March 31, 2023.
Are you sad to see Neve Campbell leaving Scream behind? Do you think it’s time for the franchise to move on in a new direction without her? Will Scream even work without her? I guess we will be finding out early next year!
