The Scream franchise is returning to its roots with Scream VII, securing Neve Campbell’s return. Campbell’s iconic character, Sidney Prescott, will once again face Ghostface in the seventh installment of the slasher series.
“We are going to follow Sidney,” Campbell told Entertainment Tonight. “They did pitch the concept to me, and it’s the reason that I jumped on board.”
Although Campbell has not yet received the final script, she expressed her excitement and gratitude for being part of a movie series that has spanned decades. “I love these movies, they are so much fun to be a part of, I’m so grateful for them, I could never have imagined being a part of a movie that would have lasted this many decades,” she said.
Scream VII will be directed by Kevin Williamson, the original screenwriter for 1996’s Scream and its 1997 sequel Scream 2. Williamson also wrote the script for Scream 4 and was credited as a producer for Scream 3.
Campbell starred in the first five installments of the Scream franchise but walked away from Scream VI, citing feelings of being undervalued. “I did not feel that what I was being offered equated to the value that I bring to this franchise, and have brought to this franchise, for 25 years,” Campbell told People in 2022.
In September 2023, Williamson advocated for Campbell’s return, stating she deserved to be paid what she wanted. Initially, producers were planning to move away from Campbell, but in November 2023, they fired new lead star Melissa Barrera over social media posts perceived as antisemitic. Following this, Jenna Ortega also exited Scream VII, leaving the franchise in uncertainty.
As it stands, Campbell is the only confirmed star for Scream VII, marking a new era for the beloved horror series.
