While there continue to be rumors floating around out there that Neve Campbell secretly signed on for Scream 6 following turning down the project over pay disparity, the actress’s recent comments would indicate that she’s really not involved, and she’s expanding on her reasons for turning down a return as Sidney Prescott.
During a chat with People, she doubled down on the fact that “as a woman in business,” it’s very important “to fight to be valued,” and their offer didn’t make her feel like she was. Campbell said, “I did not feel that what I was being offered equated to the value that I bring to this franchise, and have brought to this franchise, for 25 years.”
The actress pointed out that if she “were a man and had done five installments of a huge blockbuster franchise over 26 years,” the number she was offered wouldn’t have been the same. Campbell said, “In my soul, I just couldn’t do that. I couldn’t walk on set feeling that – feeling undervalued and feeling the unfairness, or lack of fairness, around that.”
The Scream franchise has grossed $740 million globally, and while some might think Sidney’s story could be done after the latest installment released back in January, for many fans, she is the signature face of the franchise. Many horror films have strong heroines at the forefront, and while Ghostface represents Scream, interchangeable stuntmen play the role across all of the films. We’ve watched Sidney grow across five movies over 26 years, so her absence will be significantly felt in Scream 6.
It’s also not as if Paramount Pictures aren’t aware of her popularity in the role. She’s front and center on the last film’s official poster that features the ensemble cast, and she was used heavily in the movie’s trailers, despite her role being more of a supporting part this time around. They knew her worth was enough to promote the movie, so they should know her worth as a signature part of the franchise that deserves to be compensated appropriately for her value.
Campbell confirmed in June that she would not return for the sixth installment over pay disparity. At the time, Campbell said, “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. It’s been a very difficult decision to move on. To all my Scream fans, I love you. You’ve always been so incredibly supportive to me. I’m forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years.”
Do YOU agree with Neve Campbell’s reasons for turning down Scream 6?