Legendary Horror Icon Neve Campbell Announces Return as Sidney Prescott in “Scream 7”
Horror enthusiasts all over the world are thrilled to hear that Neve Campbell, the renowned actress who brought the iconic character Sidney Prescott to life in the “Scream” franchise, is set to make a comeback.
On Tuesday, October 18, Campbell shared an image of the title page from the script of the upcoming “Untitled Scream 7” on her verified Instagram account. In the caption, she wrote, “Sidney Prescott is coming back!”
Campbell’s portrayal of Sidney in the original “Scream” movie, directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson back in 1996, marked a pivotal moment in her career. She went on to reprise the role of the resilient and resourceful heroine in four sequels, most recently in the fifth installment titled “Scream,” released in 2022.
Although Sidney was absent from last year’s “Scream VI,” fans were left wondering if the much-loved character would ever return to the franchise. According to reports, her absence from “Scream VI” was due in part to a salary dispute.
Speaking to Variety in June 2022, Campbell expressed her disappointment regarding the offer she received for “Scream VI,” stating that it “did not equate to the value” she had brought to the franchise as its principal star.
Taking to social media once more, Campbell made a reference to her negotiations for “Scream VI” in her post on Tuesday. She expressed her happiness and pride in being asked to rejoin the series, writing, “I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!”
During a conversation at an event in January 2023, Campbell addressed her absence from “Scream VI,” which featured Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega as the lead stars. She expressed her feelings about being treated differently due to her gender, stating, “I just really felt the need to stand up and say that I don’t think I would have been treated that way if I was a man carrying a franchise for 25 years.”
As announced on Campbell’s social media, original “Scream” scribe and director Kevin Williamson will helm the seventh installment. Williamson has one previous directing credit under his belt, for the 1999 thriller “Teaching Mrs. Tingle,” which starred Katie Holmes and Helen Mirren.
The “Scream” franchise is one of the most successful horror franchises in history, with the first movie, starring Drew Barrymore, Courteney Cox, and Rose McGowan, becoming a cultural touchstone and an inspiration for countless horror films that followed. The latest installment, set in New York City, grossed over $165 million at the box office globally in 2023. Overall, the franchise has amassed nearly $580 million in revenue according to Box Office Mojo.
Campbell’s return as Sidney Prescott is sure to add another thrilling chapter to the beloved “Scream” series.
