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Being paid what she’s worth is a hill that this “Scream” queen will die on.
Neve Campbell, who has played resourceful survivor Sidney Prescott in the $744 million-plus “Scream” slasher-flick franchise for more than 25 years, will not return for “Scream 6” due to failed contract negotiations, Deadline reported Monday.
“Sadly, I won’t be making the next ‘Scream’ film,” Campbell told Deadline.
“As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to ‘Scream,’” she continued. “I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.”
Campbell has played the final girl who survives the many serial killers donning the “Ghostface” mask in each “Scream” film since 1996. Now “Scream 6,” which is scheduled to hit theaters in March 2023, will be the first film in the horror series without her.
The fifth and most recent film in the franchise — the reboot/sequel “Scream” from Paramount
PARA,
and Spyglass Media — earned $140 million worldwide earlier this year.
Neither studio was immediately available for comment.
“Scream” co-star David Arquette, who has played local cop Dewey Riley since the beginning the franchise, told ComicBook.com that he respects Campbell’s decision.
“I’d love for her to be a part of it,” said Arquette. “A ‘Scream’ movie without Sidney is kind of unfortunate, but I understand her decision. It’s all a business in a way, they have to balance all these elements to fit a budget and produce a film. I get it, she’s still alive! She [can] absolutely be in future ones, but I think it’s up to fans to call for that in the future. […] That is sudden, it’s a business, though. I respect her decision, for sure.”
Campbell told her fans in her statement Monday that this has been “a very difficult decision” to move on from the franchise.
“To all my ‘Scream’ fans, I love you. You’ve always been so incredibly supportive to me,” said Campbell. “I’m forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years.”
Many “Scream” fans expressed their support for the actress on Twitter
TWTR,
on Monday afternoon, leading the actress’s name to trend.
Fans can still catch Campbell on Netflix’s
NFLX,
“The Lincoln Lawyer,” and she will soon be in “Twisted Metal” on NBC’s
CMCSA,
Peacock.
