Scream filmmakers aren’t giving up on bringing Neve Campbell back for another sequel

Neve Campbell passed on Scream VI, but directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett still want her to return for another sequel

Last Updated on February 5, 2024

Scream VI (read our review HERE) is the first entry in the slasher franchise not to feature Neve Campbell as heroine Sidney Prescott. Sidney was originally part of the story crafted by Scream 2022 writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, but had to be written out when Campbell passed on the project due to a pay dispute. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett – the directors of both Scream 2022 and Scream VI – recently said they hope to see the franchise continue with a Scream 7 and beyond, whether they’re still involved or not… and judging by the opening weekend box office of Scream VI, it looks like they’ll get their wish. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett said that if they are involved with further Scream sequels, they’re still hoping to get Campbell to return for another one.

The filmmakers were asked, “On the subject of Neve Campbell and a potential return someday, has no one given up on her?” Bettinelli-Olpin replied, “We’d never give up on her. We love Neve, and we love Sidney. So we’d love to be able to make another movie with her, and we’re not giving up.

Personally, I would be fine with Sidney Prescott being left alone in her happy ending and not having to deal with any more Ghostface killers in her life. She has overcome plenty of trouble already. But if the filmmakers really want to bring her back, the number crunchers better be ready to show Neve Campbell the money.

The Campbell-less Scream VI shows us what happens when the four survivors of the Ghostface killings leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.

Those four survivors are the returning Scream 2022 characters played by Melissa Barrera (as Samantha Carpenter), Jenna Ortega (as Samantha’s sister Tara Carpenter), Mason Gooding (as Mindy’s brother Chad Meeks-Martin), and Jasmin Savoy Brown (as Mindy Meeks-Martin). They’re seeking to start a fresh chapter in New York City… but while the story is set in New York, the movie was filmed in Montreal.

Also in the cast are franchise regular Courteney Cox (as Gale Weathers), Scream 4 star Hayden Panettiere (as Kirby Reed), and new additions Dermot Mulroney as Detective Bailey, Samara Weaving as Laura, Tony Revolori as Jason, Liana Liberato as Quinn, Josh Segarra as Danny, Jack Champion as Ethan, Devyn Nekoda as Anika, and Henry Czerny as Dr. Stone.

Vanderbilt produced Scream 6 with Paul Neinstein and William Sherak for Project X Entertainment. Original Scream screenwriter Kevin Willamson serves as executive producer alongside Chad Villella, Ron Lynch, Cathy Konrad, Marianne Maddalena, and Spyglass’s Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre.

Would you like to see Neve Campbell / Sidney Prescott return for another Scream sequel? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Scream Neve Campbell
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

About the Author

Cody is a news editor and film critic, focused on the horror arm of JoBlo.com, and writes scripts for videos that are released through the JoBlo Originals and JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channels. In his spare time, he's a globe-trotting digital nomad, runs a personal blog called Life Between Frames, and writes novels and screenplays.