A few weeks ago the Scream series was still on top. Scream 5 introduced a new generation of Final Girls who successfully carried the baton forward in Scream 6. Part 7 seemed like a formality. But now the series is without its two new leading actresses.
Earlier this week, Melissa Barrera was fired for her controversial posts about the Israel-Hama war, then what had been brewing in the rumor mill for months was served up: Jenna Ortega quit Scream 7 due to scheduling conflicts with the second season of her Netflix series Wednesday away. The logical response for a long-lasting franchise would be to reactivate the old guard. There is a problem with this.
Why Neve Campbell’s return is not a given
Following the news of Ortega’s exit, there were rumors about a complete reorientation of the series known. A rewrite of the script is underway, according to industry magazine Variety, and a few well-known names have been thrown into the ring: original star Courteney Cox, Patrick Dempsey, who played Sidney Prescott’s husband in Scream 3, and of course Sidney himself, Neve Campbell. However, Campbell’s relationship with the series is disturbed.
Paramount
Neve Campbell
The actress since Scream – Scream! 1996 Lead actress in the franchise, was a member of the cast until part 5. However, in June 2022, she announced her departure from the series. The background was salary negotiations for Scream VI, which she found unfair. At the time, she explained, according to Vanity Fair:
Unfortunately I won’t be in the next Scream movie. As a woman, I’ve had to work extra hard in my career to establish my worth, especially when it comes to Scream. I felt that the offer that was presented to me did not reflect the value that I provided to the film series.
The horror series has a second problem
Instead of paying her better, the producers accepted Campbell’s departure. Certainly with the firm confidence that Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega would represent an equal replacement. Scream VI was therefore the first part without Sidney Prescott.
According to Variety, the producers of the horror franchise now want to bring Campbell back. The actress is in a much stronger negotiating position following recent events. Only she knows whether money alone convinces her to forget her past disdain.
Even with Neve Campbell, Patrick Dempsey and Courteney Cox returning, the Scream 7 team faces a significant challenge: who will lead the series into the future?