Scream icon Neve Campbell is not ruling out a return to the classic slasher franchise.
The actress reprised the role of Sidney Prescott for the fifth movie, but decided to drop out of the recent Scream VI because of a pay dispute. The film was still very successful, but Sidney was definitely missed by long-time fans.
Despite her issues with the studio, Campbell tells Variety that she would consider stepping back into her most famous role given "the right circumstances" during the BAFTA Tea event at the Maybourne hotel in Beverly Hills.
“Given the right circumstances? Yes. I made a statement several years ago, and it was the reason that I didn’t do the film at the time, and I just really felt the need to stand up and say that I don’t believe I would’ve been treated that way had I been a man carrying a franchise for 25 years, and that still stands. So if they were to choose to come back to me, that would continue to be my takeaway. We’ll see.”
“I honestly have no idea what their plans are,” she continued. “I know a lot has gone on around it and I’m sure they’re spinning a little bit at the moment. These movies mean a lot to us and they mean a lot to the fans. I go to these conventions sometimes and I meet the fans and they’re frantic about these films. They love them. These films mean a lot to them and these characters mean a lot to them. So even for their sake, I would love to see it continue.”
Right now, we're not even sure that the seventh Scream movie will move forward.
Star Melissa Barrera was fired for sharing "anti-Semitic" comments on social media, with Spyglass Entertainment releasing a statement explaining why they decided to drop her from the film shortly after, citing "rhetoric that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech." We'd later learn that Jenna Ortega had also parted ways with the horror sequel, but actually left the project some time before Barrera's firing.
More recently, director Christopher Landon also stepped away.
“I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago," the filmmaker wrote on Twitter. "This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on.” “I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”
What happens next is unclear, but according to THR, "the future of Scream VII rests on James Vanderbilt, the writer-producer who co-wrote the rebooted movies and who is writing the current script. Sources say that the scribe, who was already contending with Ortega’s loss, had been focusing the story on Barrera’s character."
We're sure a version of Scream VII will see the light of day at some point, but it's probably in the studio's best interests to start making some phone calls.