Neve Campbell Stirs Up Buzz: Behind-the-Scenes Dispute Escalates Over Scream 6 Pay

Summary

Neve Campbell expounds on her choice to decline the opportunity to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott in Scream 6, reiterating her previous statements about the unequal salary proposal she was offered compared to that of a male actor.

Although Sidney holds great significance for Campbell, she states that she couldn't have gone against her principles by returning due to her pay. Whether Campbell will come back for a potential sequel is still uncertain, but her recent statement does not completely dismiss the possibility.

In a recent interview with KiSS 92.5 at TIFF, Neve Campbell, the actor known for her role as Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise, stands by her choice to sit out Scream 6 due to a salary dispute. Despite having played a significant role in all previous movies, Campbell decided not to return for the latest installment directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet. As news of Scream 7 emerges, Campbell reflects on her decision and shares her thoughts.

Although she acknowledges Sidney's importance in her life, the actor states that her decision not to return is based on her principles. Read Campbell's complete comment below:

"While I have a deep affection for the characters I've portrayed and those I've had a long history with, the concept of equal pay holds significant value for me. Unfortunately, we have yet to achieve true equality in this regard. I firmly believe that if I were male, the offer would have been very different. While I cannot provide definitive evidence, this is the sentiment I hold, fueled by the less than satisfactory treatment I received, which felt disrespectful. Hence, where does self-respect factor in? It must always remain paramount, don't you agree?"

Will Neve Campbell Ever Return To The Scream Franchise?

Sidney was the main character in the first four Scream movies, where she faced different Ghostface killers. In Scream (2022), which is a "requel" according to dialogue in the film, Sidney appears again but as a mentor. The movie introduces new characters like Sam and Tara, alongside Sidney, Gale, and Dewey from the original movies.

Sidney's absence in Scream 6, due to Campbell's decision not to return, allows the newer characters to take center stage. However, there is still a possibility for Sidney to come back. The latest film explains her absence by saying that she left town with her family after hearing that Ghostface had returned. Although Sam, Tara, and the others will be the ones driving the franchise forward, there is no story reason why Sidney and Gale couldn't return for smaller supporting roles.

Campbell previously stated that her decision not to return was purely a business choice. This implies that if the creators decide to bring her back for Scream 7 or future projects, it would require a suitable salary offer. However, Scream 6 achieved considerable success even without Campbell's participation, which might make the studio less inclined to invest more money in her return in the future.