Neve Campbell is set to return to the Scream franchise. The actor, who plays the role of Sidney Prescott, announced in an Instagram post that she was ‘excited’ to be leading Untitled Scream 7, to be directed by Kevin Williamson who wrote the 1996 original.
‘It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the Scream movies,’ she wrote. ‘My appreciation for these films and for what they have meant to me, has never waned.’
Campbell had played the role of Sidney in the first four films all directed by Wes Craven, with Scream 4 released in 2011. After the film-maker’s death in 2015, the franchise was rebooted in 2022 with Scream which saw Campbell and series regulars Courtney Cox and David Arquette return alongside new recruits led by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega.
After the film was a commercial success, a follow-up was announced, but Campbell decided not to return after a salary dispute. ‘I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise,’ the actor said in a statement.
Today’s announcement also added: ‘I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!!’
While Scream VI was another commercial hit, breaking the opening weekend record for the entire franchise, the future of the series was put into question after lead Barrera was fired last November. The actor had shown support for Palestine on social media during the ongoing war while also criticising Israel. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict so far.
A statement from Spyglass, the company who is now behind the series, said at the time that they have ‘zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form’. Soon after it was announced that co-star Ortega would also not be returning and then new director Christopher Landon would also no longer be involved.
In January, when Campbell was asked about the future of the franchise, she said, ‘I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!!’
