What Prompted Neve Campbell's Decision To Sit Out Of 'Scream 6'?

More than a month after Neve Campbell shocked fans of the "Scream" franchise that she wouldn't be reprising her role in the sixth sequel, the actress is opening up about what fueled her decision.

As you might know, Campbell is an OG cast member of the "Scream" franchise, starring as Sidney Prescott since the first installment came out in December 1996.

In a recent interview, the Canadian native poured out her heart about not getting her worth in terms of compensation. Campbell cleared the air while speaking to People Magazine, noting that her absence from the sixth sequel was strictly due to "negotiation."

"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," she admitted.

The Hollywood star explained that it was particularly unsettling as a man with her vast years of experience wouldn't have been given such a discouraging offer.

In her words, "As a woman in this business, I think it's really important for us to be valued and to fight to be valued. I honestly don't believe that if I were a man and had done five installments of a huge blockbuster franchise over 25 years, that the number that I was offered would be the number that would be offered to a man."

Although Campbell wanted to be there for fans of the franchise, she couldn't bring herself to do ignore the undervaluing. "I couldn't walk on set feeling that — feeling undervalued and feeling the unfairness, or lack of fairness, around that," she confessed.

As The Blast reported back in June, the 48-year-old dashed fans' hope of seeing her back on their screens with a statement alluding to the fact that she wasn't being paid her worth.

She 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."

Sending her love to fans, she wrote, "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."

The "Scream" franchise has reportedly grossed over $744 million since its inception more than two decades ago. Following her shocking revelation, Campbell received an outpouring of love and support from fans and colleagues.

David Arquette expressed disappointment at having a "Scream" movie without Campbell's legendary presence. He said, "I’d love for her to be a part of it. A Scream movie without Sidney is kind of unfortunate, but I understand her decision. It’s all a business in a way, they have to balance all these elements to fit a budget and produce a film."

Her co-stars, Matthew Lillard and Jamie Kennedy, also aired their support for her decision. Lillard was fully behind Campbell back, asking "Did Tom Cruise take less money for [Top Gun: Maverick]? F— no, dude. So, why is a woman supposed to take less? Why wouldn’t you pay her more as the series goes on?"

He added, "Should Neve Campbell be paid for the work she’s done in five movies of a franchise? Yes, because she’s a female lead of one of the most successful horror franchises."

Kennedy, on the other hand, echoed a similar sentiment, saying, "Sidney Prescott is the center of Scream. Neve Campbell is the face of Scream. Ghostface chasing her throughout the whole franchise … Neve is the final girl. It’s crazy that the people behind the scenes are not paying the money to literally the face of the franchise."

Although Campbell and the creators of the beloved horror franchise couldn't come to an agreement for the sixth sequel, the actress doesn't believe it is the end of her "Scream Journey."

Explaining to People that it's not over until it is over, the mother-of-one said, "I don't know that I'm done for good. It would really depend on what they came to me with next. It would have to be different. It would have to be a different attitude, and I'm not sure that's going to happen."

She noted that if the team approaches her with the right number that speaks to her worth, she'd waste no time rejoining the franchise. If, however, the creators don't budge with a new offer, Campbell is more than okay with not being a part of the franchise.

"It would really depend on what they came to me with next. It would have to be different. It would have to be a different attitude, and I'm not sure that's going to happen."