Neve Campbell Shares Why She Decided Against Taking the Pay for ‘Scream 6’
After surviving five encounters with Ghostface, Neve Campbell has chosen not to return for another installment, declaring her offer for Scream VI insufficient to warrant a return to the franchise.
The actress, who stepped away from the series in 2022, expressed surprise at reprising her role as Sidney Campbell for the upcoming Scream 7, set to premiere on February 27 in theaters.
“When I made that decision, I just didn’t think I could live with myself walking on set,” Campbell shared during an appearance on CBS Mornings. “I just didn’t feel right. I just knew that my value to this franchise was bigger than what had been offered. For me, I needed to make that choice.”
Reflecting on her departure from the franchise, Campbell remarked, “When I said goodbye to it, I thought that was it. I knew that there was a good chance that would be it.”
When asked about her feelings regarding that pivotal decision, Campbell responded, “Well, I had to be. I mean, I was sad. When I knew they were having their first day of shooting and I wasn’t there, I was like, ‘That sucks.’ But at the same time, I knew that my decision was right.”
Neve Campbell in ‘Scream 7’
Jessica Miglio / Paramount Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection
Campbell further elaborated, “And when I spoke out about it, it wasn’t really to sort of rally everybody. It was really just my truth at the time, and the fact the people got behind me, I got lovely support, and that was nice. And I do feel that other people need to make those choices.”
After appearing as “final girl” Sidney Prescott in the fifth installment, Scream (2022), Campbell made the “very difficult decision to move on” for Scream VI (2023). In her statement, she noted, “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.”
Scream 7 will showcase a cast that includes returning stars Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, Scott Foley, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Mason Gooding, alongside newcomers Joel McHale, Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos, and Ethan Embry.
