Despite plenty of doubt in the run up to the release of Scream (2022), the meta slasher sequel was both a critical and financial success, and put Scream back on the map. So much so, that Scream 6 was recently confirmed. But suddenly things don't look so good for the 2023 film, as Neve Campbell has quit the film.
Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for Scream (2022)!
The news will likely come as even more of a shock than the unmasking of the Ghostface killer at the end of each Scream movie, especially as the news follows several casting announcements over recent months.
It was recently confirmed that Courteney Cox would be reprising her role as Gale Weathers in the upcoming Scream movie, while Hayden Panettiere was also confirmed to be returning as fan-favorite Kirby Reed from Scream 4 (2011).
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Other confirmed cast members include Jenna Ortega as Tara Carpenter, Melissa Barrera as Sam Carpenter, Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks, and Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks, all of whom survived Scream (2022).
However, in a shock twist, Neve Campbell, the star of the entire Scream franchise, has exited the upcoming sequel over a salary dispute. Here's what the actress recently had to say about her departure from Scream 6:
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"Sadly I won't be making the next Scream film," the actress says. “As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.”
“It’s been a very difficult decision to move on," she continues. "To all my Scream fans, I love you. You’ve always been so incredibly supportive to me. I’m forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years."
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Where the studio goes from here is unknown, as Sidney Prescott, the character Neve Campbell has played in all five Scream movies to date, is the real star of the show, despite being sidelined somewhat in the two most recent entries.
Either way, this news will not go down well with Scream fans, many of whom view Sidney Prescott as the best "final girl" out of all the slasher franchises, whether it's A Nightmare On Elm Street, Halloween, or Friday the 13th.
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It also remains to be seen whether or not this will affect the success of Scream 6, which could happen. While every film has been a financial success so far, it's never too late for a multi-movie franchise to lose popularity.
This happens in cinema more often than not, with the likes of Star Wars and Fantastic Beasts being the two most recent examples that come to mind. And Scream is no more immune to bombing at the box office than any other.
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From a creative point of view, this undoubtedly presents a huge challenge for the crew, as the script for Scream 6 is already in existence, with cast members discussing how gory it is in recent interviews.
With that said, the Scream movies are infamous for using multiple scripts by means of keeping the identity of its Ghostface killer a mystery until it's finally revealed in movie theaters.
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Will Sidney Prescott be recast? Or will the filmmakers kill her off between Scream (2022) and Scream 6? Well, whatever they decide to do, they're probably wishing Ghostface got the upper hand on her in the 2022 sequel.
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Production for Scream 6 begins in Canada this month.
Scream 6 stars Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter), Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter), Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks), Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers), and Hayden Panettiere (Kirby Reed).
It will be released in theaters on March 31, 2021.
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