After a hiatus from the iconic horror franchise due to a salary dispute, Neve Campbell, renowned for her role as Sidney Prescott, has confirmed her return for the upcoming seventh installment of the Scream series.
The news broke via Campbell’s Instagram on Tuesday, where she shared her excitement about reprising the role that catapulted her to stardom.
Neve Campbell expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing her enduring appreciation for the Scream films and their significance in her career.
In a surprising twist, Kevin Williamson, the mastermind behind the original Scream and subsequent installments, is taking the director’s chair for Scream 7.
Williamson, who had previously penned the franchise’s scripts, expressed his gratitude for the journey and excitement about directing alongside Campbell.
The script for Scream 7 will be helmed by Guy Busick, who co-wrote the fifth and sixth films, marking a significant transition in the creative team. James Vanderbilt, Busick’s previous collaborator, will continue as a producer alongside William Sherak and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment. The renowned film collective Radio Silence, known for their work on the last two Scream films, will serve as executive producers.
Neve Campbell’s return follows a public standoff over salary negotiations before Scream 6, where she voiced her dissatisfaction with the offered compensation, citing it did not reflect her contributions to the franchise. Williamson had been a vocal supporter of Campbell’s demands, urging the production team to meet her expectations.
In addition to Campbell’s comeback, notable departures from the franchise include Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, who were set to star in Scream 7 but had to step down due to unforeseen circumstances.
Melissa Barrera was terminated from the project following controversies surrounding her social media posts about Israel. Shortly thereafter, Jenna Ortega’s exit was confirmed due to scheduling conflicts with her commitments to Netflix’s Wednesday.
As excitement builds for the return of Sidney Prescott, fans eagerly anticipate the latest installment in the beloved horror series. Scream 7 promises to deliver the same thrills and chills that have captivated audiences for nearly three decades.
Campbell’s full statement can be read below:
Hi All. I’m so excited to announce this news!!! Sidney Prescott is coming back!!!! It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the ‘Scream‘ movies. My appreciation for these films and for what they have meant to me, has never waned. 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!!! Well actually I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct ‘Scream 7‘! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years. To the amazing ‘Scream‘ fans, I hope you are as excited as I am.
