As fans of Scream know very well by now, Scream VI (read our review HERE) is the first entry in the slasher franchise not to feature Neve Campbell as heroine Sidney Prescott. The Sidney character was originally part of the story written by Scream 2022 writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, but she had to be written out when Campbell passed on the project due to a pay dispute. If you’re wondering if Campbell is feeling any negativity about the Scream movie they made without her, her Scream co-star Skeet Ulrich – who returns for hallucinatory appearances in Scream 2022 and Scream VI – is here to assure you that she doesn’t. In fact, Ulrich said Campbell “loved” the new movie.
Speaking with People, Ulrich said he had talked to Campbell about Scream VI when they were both at a recent convention. He told them, “She loves it; she loves what we’ve done. There were just business things as a businesswoman that are important to her, and we all stand behind her.“
Scream 2022 and Scream VI directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have said they would try to get Campbell to come back as Sidney for another sequel if they’re still at the helm, and Ulrich indicated she might be open to it, saying she misses being involved with the films. “She’s the final girl, no doubt. But yeah, I think she misses it, all of it and everything. This is new to me. I did [the original Scream] and then a big jump, we didn’t have this kind of [big premiere event] obviously because of the pandemic for [last year’s fifth Scream], so this is like years and years’ of growth. So I think she has more to miss. To me, it’s new and exciting.“
The Campbell-less Scream VI shows us what happens when the four survivors of the Ghostface killings leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.
Those four survivors are the returning Scream 2022 characters played by Melissa Barrera (as Samantha Carpenter), Jenna Ortega (as Samantha’s sister Tara Carpenter), Mason Gooding (as Mindy’s brother Chad Meeks-Martin), and Jasmin Savoy Brown (as Mindy Meeks-Martin). They’re seeking to start a fresh chapter in New York City… but while the story is set in New York, the movie was filmed in Montreal.
Also in the cast are franchise regular Courteney Cox (as Gale Weathers), Scream 4 star Hayden Panettiere (as Kirby Reed), and new additions Dermot Mulroney as Detective Bailey, Samara Weaving as Laura, Tony Revolori as Jason, Liana Liberato as Quinn, Josh Segarra as Danny, Jack Champion as Ethan, Devyn Nekoda as Anika, and Henry Czerny as Dr. Stone.
Vanderbilt produced Scream VI with Paul Neinstein and William Sherak for Project X Entertainment. Original Scream screenwriter Kevin Willamson serves as executive producer alongside Chad Villella, Ron Lynch, Cathy Konrad, Marianne Maddalena, and Spyglass’s Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre.
Are you glad to hear that Campbell doesn’t feel any negativity about Scream VI? Share your thoughts on this situation by leaving a comment below.