Neve Campbell has opened up about her decision to skip Scream VI due to an inadequate pay offer, which she felt undervalued her contributions to the franchise. She returns as Sidney Prescott in Scream 7, set for release on February 27, sharing new details about the film's plot and her character's protective role. The upcoming installment features a mix of returning cast members and newcomers amid a director change.
Neve Campbell, who portrays Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise, explained her absence from Scream VI (2023) during a recent appearance on CBS Mornings. "When I made that decision, I just didn’t think I could live with myself walking on set," she said. "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." In 2022, Campbell announced her departure, stating, "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."
Campbell reprises her role in Scream 7, premiering February 27 in theaters. The film includes returning stars such as 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.
On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Campbell discussed Scream 7, hinting at the plot with, "someone’s got to go at some point." She confirmed knowing the killer's identity, noting, "Because I am often carrying it," though some cast members do not. Campbell described her character as a "mama bear" protective of her teenage daughter, played by Isabel May. She shared survival rules from horror films: "don’t have sex," "don’t drink or do drugs," and "Never say, ‘I will be right back,’" adding to always know where knives are and consider removing mobile phone chips.
The final trailer for Scream 7 highlights a brutal hunt led by Ghostface, placing Sidney Prescott’s daughter’s life in danger. The project saw a directorial shift, with Christopher Landon stepping away and Kevin Williamson taking over, as noted in a new book about the franchise's changes.