For over 25 years Scream fans have worried about the fate of Sidney Prescott: would she make it to the end of the film, and would she be in the next instalment?
Now, finally, her fate has been decided, as actor Neve Campbell has announced that she will be exiting the franchise due to pay issues - and fans are having a meltdown.
“Sadly, I won’t be making the next Scream film,” she said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday. “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.,” said Campbell. “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.”
Campbell has appeared in all five of the Scream films since 1996, becoming synonymous with the franchise. Her exit, then, leaves a giant hole in the film for many longtime Scream devotees.
“Y’all I have literally been sitting here for the last like 6 hours having to process the fact that Sidney Prescott won’t be in the next Scream, because I’m genuinely very upset about this,” tweeted one fan on Twitter.
“Thank you Neve Campbell for this incredible journey. Sidney Prescott is one of my favorite character ever, but we totally understand your point,” said another.
“ I love the #Scream franchise and I will continue to watch as long as they continue making but it won’t be the same without Sidney,” said another.
Y’all I have literally been sitting here for the last like 6 hours having to process the fact that Sidney Prescott won’t be in the next Scream, because I’m genuinely very upset about this.#NeveCampbell deserves the world. Pay her what she deserves, she IS Scream. pic.twitter.com/Q8m7DcQ3fF
— Joshie 💖 (@GayFinalGirl) June 7, 2022
Thank you Neve Campbell for this incredible journey. Sidney Prescott is one of my favorite character ever, but we totally understand your point. I hope you nothing but the best. pic.twitter.com/BytH3OR1VA
— BatMarc 😷🦇 (@RobinsonMarc1) June 6, 2022
#NeveCampbell deserves so much better. I love the #Scream franchise and I will continue to watch as long as they continue making but it won't be the same without Sidney. After 5 movies. About 25 years, she deserves more than what she is receiving.
— Feeniks (@feeniks1993) June 7, 2022
Campbell is currently starring in the Netflix series The Lincoln Lawyer, which premiered on the streaming giant last month. She is also set to star in the upcoming Peacock action-comedy series Twisted Metal with Anthony Mackie (Seberg, The Banker).
Scream 6 will reportedly be released in March 2023 and will star Jenna Ortega (You, The Fallout), Melissa Barrera (Club de Cuervos, Vida), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Sound of Violence, Love), and Mason Gooding (Booksmart, Love, Victor). Dermot Mulroney (Hanna, Four Weddings and a Funeral) is also set to be joining the cast.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin (Ready or Not, Southbound) and Tyler Gillett (The Treasure Hunt), will return as directors. The duo took over from Wes Craven after the director’s 2015 death.
Scream 5, which enjoyed the return of original cast member Courtney Cox, was released in January this year and brought in $140 million worldwide - $40 million more than its previous instalment.
