Neve Campbell Addresses Decision To Pass On 'Scream VI' Over Pay Dispute

Neve Campbell's absence from 2023's "Scream VI" stunned longtime fans of the horror series. The actress is addressing the salary dispute that led her to step away from the franchise, clarifying her stance while also discussing her return for the seventh installment.

Campbell is a central figure in the "Scream" franchise, appearing in all the movies except "Scream VI." Since 1996, she has portrayed the character of Sidney Prescott, the main target of the franchise's antagonist, Ghostface.

In 2022, however, she decided not to come back for the sixth film, releasing a statement that read, "I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise," per The Hollywood Reporter.

In an appearance on "CBS Mornings" to promote "Scream 7," Campbell stood by her decision and said, "I just didn't think I could live with myself walking on set. It just didn't feel right. I just knew that my value to this franchise was bigger than what was offered," she explained.

Despite deciding to pass on the sixth movie, Campbell said she was a bit sad to have missed out on being there while they were filming. However, she knew she made the right choice. "When I spoke about it, it wasn't really to sort of rally everybody. It was really just my truth at that time," she added.

Campbell is now back for the seventh movie, something that she didn't expect to happen after her exit. "When I said goodbye to it, I thought that was it. I knew that there was a good chance that that would be it," she explained.

As reported by Deadline, Campbell was compensated about $7 million for the latest movie.

It has been 30 years since the first "Scream" film was released, and in the seventh installment, Sidney Prescott is back, living quietly with her husband and children. This time, Ghostface isn't only targeting her, but her teenage daughter as well.

The film explores the renewed threat to Sidney and her family, featuring old faces and introducing new characters as the terror continues. "She's created a family, has children, has found peace, and then, of course, chaos finds her," Campbell teased.

"Scream 7" will see the return of Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers, David Arquette as Dewey Riley, and Matthew Lillard as Stu Marcher. New faces include Joel McHale and Isabel May, playing Sidney's husband and daughter, respectively.

"Scream" fans are praising Campbell for knowing her worth, and they are excited to see her back in the franchise.

"I'm sooo glad and happy Neve is back, I mean you can't have Scream without Sidney Prescott, and she's sooo right about realizing what her value is as a person and as an artist," one user commented.

Another person noted, "Scream is nothing without her. And she did the right thing to walk away. She knows her worth."

"I didn't see Scream 6 because she wasn't in it. It isn't Scream without Sidney. It's been her story since day one..." another added.

"Scream 7" hasn't been released in theaters yet, but screenwriter and director Kevin Williamson revealed that there might be a "Scream 8." At the movie's red carpet premiere on February 25, Williamson said he and Campbell have been talking about the possible next installment.

"When you're sitting on the set at 3:00 in the morning, you're like, 'Well, what would Scream 8 be about?' And you just start spit-balling," Williamson explained.

Williamson teased that Campbell has a "great idea" that everyone on set resonated with, hinting that they might already have a direction for the next movie. However, it all depends on the success of "Scream 7."

"If this movie works and people want it, we're here for the fans. So, if they want it, we'll certainly give it to them," he shared.

"Scream 7" will hit theaters in the U.S. on February 27.