Neve Campbell addresses the current state of the “Scream” franchise after the latest sequel lost its stars and director and if she would ever consider a comeback….
Neve Campbell isn’t opposed to a comeback to the “Scream” franchise but only if the studio is finally willing to treat her accordingly.
After starring in five “Scream” films, Campbell ultimately dropped out of the sixth sequel over salary concerns when the studio failed to meet her demands, especially after she carried the franchise for more than 20 years with more than $700 million earned at the box office.
More recently, “Scream VII” effectively hit a brick wall after Spyglass — the studio in charge of the franchise — fired actress Melissa Barrera over her social media posts regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Soon after, Jenna Ortega also dropped out of the sequel over scheduling issues due to shooting the new season of her hit Netflix series “Wednesday.”
The final nail in the coffin was director Christopher Landon — best known for his work on films like “Happy Death Day” and “Freaky” — announcing that he had dropped out of the sequel, calling it a “dream job that turned into a nightmare.”
There’s been no real news about “Scream VII” since then outside of rumors that producers were possibly looking to pivot back to legacy actors involved with the franchise like Campbell and it appears her line is open if the studio is finally ready to have a serious dialogue about her requests regarding salary.
“Given the right circumstances? Yes [I would return],” Campbell told Indiewire. “I made a statement several years ago, and it was the reason that I didn’t do the film at the time, and I just really felt the need to stand up and say that I don’t believe I would’ve been treated that way had I been a man carrying a franchise for 25 years, and that still stands.
“So if they were to choose to come back to me, that would continue to be my takeaway. We’ll see.”
Watching as an outsider to everything that has unfolded recently, Campbell admitted that her heart still remains with the “Scream” franchise just because of everything those films have meant to her over the years, especially the connection she shared with director Wes Craven.
Campbell can’t predict the outcome of how this whole mess with play out but she still loves the “Scream” films — even if she’s already made her final appearance in the franchise.
“It’s sad to me that they’re struggling at the moment,” Campbell said. “I would imagine that the people at the top are spinning a little bit, trying to make the right decision. I think I would imagine people want to do the right thing. I would hope.
“I love this franchise. I love it for Wes [Craven]. I love it for all the people who’ve been involved and even the newer cast. I would hope it doesn’t fall apart.”
Spyglass hasn’t made any formal statements on future plans for “Scream” since Barrera was fired and fans unleashed on the studio for that decision. There’s no telling what could be next for one of the biggest horror franchise in Hollywood but Campbell seems ready to come back as Sidney Prescott … but the studio will need to treat her fairly if they really want it to happen.
Neve Campbell tells us about her feelings on the current state of the “Scream” franchise and whether or not she would rejoin at some point in the future. pic.twitter.com/hx0IGqXVN3
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) January 14, 2024
