Editor’s Note: The following comprises Scream VI spoilers.
There aren’t many “final girls” in horror movie historical past which can be extra beloved than Neve Campbell’s efficiency as Sidney Prescott within the Scream saga. A young person who takes down her meant killer with the notorious line “this is my movie,” Sidney immediately turned a brand new idol of the style all through her appearances within the subsequent sequels. Campbell returned to point out Sidney’s grief, therapeutic, and evolution within the three direct sequels that had been additionally helmed by the franchise’s authentic creator, Wes Craven. While she appeared in a supporting position for 2022’s Scream, Campbell introduced that she wouldn’t return to the saga for this yr’s Scream VI.
Scream VI picks up with the half-sisters Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) within the yr following their traumatic expertise in Woodsboro that concerned the return of Ghostface. Although Tara is now well-adjusted and has a detailed buddy circle in school in New York City, Sam struggles to regulate to the identical way of life as she processes the crimes of her father, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). However, the sisters’ relationship is thrown into turmoil when a brand new Ghostface begins stalking the campus; what’s worse is {that a} speedy web conspiracy principle has linked Sam to the supposed crimes, claiming that she framed Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) for the earlier murders in Woodsboro.
Scream VI options the return of Courtney Cox because the journalist Gale Weathers and Hayden Paniettere’s Kirby Reed, a personality from Scream 4 that survived the Ghostface killings and has now devoted her life to fixing crimes and placing killers behind bars. While it was clear that David Arquette could be absent from the story following the tragic demise of Dewey Cox in 2022’s Scream, Campbell’s exit from the collection incited divisive responses from outraged followers of the saga. However, there’s a behind-the-scenes controversy that Sidney is just not in Scream VI.
Neve Campbell’s Pay Dispute
While a observe as much as 2022’s Scream was introduced shortly after the primary movie’s monetary success, Campbell introduced that she wouldn’t return for the sixth installment within the collection as meant because of the low sum provided to her to reprise the position. Campbell stated that she “felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise,” however she did thank Scream followers for every little thing that “this franchise has given me over the previous 25 years.”
Campbell’s refusal to take a decrease sum to return for Scream VI is a justified one; Scream is arguably some of the standard (and definitely most financially profitable) horror franchises of all-time. There aren’t many sagas which have retained their main stars for over 25 years and continued to be each critically and commercially profitable. Campbell’s involvement was pivotal to the collection’ evolution, however she acknowledged that “as a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream.”
It’s been seen time and time once more that female-fronted horror franchises have been one of many few strong performers throughout a fragmented interval of recent releases. Jamie Lee Curtis resurrected the Halloween franchise on the high of the field workplace, and final yr Mia Goth launched a profitable new icon with X and Pearl. It’s unhappy that ladies within the business are constantly underpaid and never given equal compensation after confirmed success.
The Evolution of ‘Scream VI’
The script for Scream VI was subsequently rewritten to focus extra on the brand new characters and take away Sidney from the story. Since the sequel was introduced when the 2022 movie was nonetheless in theaters, the filmmakers had time to regulate the narrative and take the chance to deal with the youthful solid established within the earlier movie. Even although Campbell’s absence offered narrative points that wanted to be addressed with a view to retain a constant continuity. Sidney is talked about throughout the story by Gale, revealing her actions throughout the occasions of the movie. Despite departing the collection, Campbell hasn’t been reluctant to reprise the position; she just lately appeared in a Scream-inspired Red Cross commercial asking viewers to donate blood.
Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, collectively generally known as Radio Silence, acknowledged that they’re “massive fans of Neve Campbell and what Sidney Prescott is in the Scream universe,” however needed to play “the hand that we were dealt.” However, they left the door open for Campbell to return to the collection sooner or later. Jenna Ortega added that the movie nonetheless meant to homage Campbell’s legendary position, and that “it is good as a result of there’s nonetheless a protectiveness within the script and that is one thing that the actors had naturally over her as a result of clearly we respect her.”
Sidney’s Role In ‘Scream VI’
Despite Campbell’s hesitance to return, Sidney’s presence remains to be felt in Scream VI. Sidney isn’t killed off, as she remains to be married with three youngsters following her transfer from Woodsboro on the finish of Scream 4. Although the occasions of 2022’s Scream allowed Sidney to reunite with each Gale and Dewey, she doesn’t keep in Woodsboro for for much longer. While Sidney had supplied steering to each Sam and Tara as they processed their trauma, she has clearly moved on.
Despite rumors that Campbell’s dispute over pay was a stunt meant to cover the truth that Sidney was both the killer or would die within the opening scene, this isn’t the case. It’s talked about in Scream VI that Sidney has returned to her quiet life, and isn’t current in New York City the place the occasions of the movie happen. Gale mentions Sidney is content material along with her present trajectory, reflecting the writers’ respect for Campbell by giving the character a cheerful ending. However, since Sidney remains to be canonically alive throughout the Scream universe, there’s greater than sufficient room for her to return in a later installment.
Scream VI ends with an apparent hook that means future path that the story may head. Early optimistic evaluations point out that the movie will probably be profitable throughout the crowded March field workplace season that features franchise automobiles akin to Creed III, 65, Shazam!: Fury of the Gods, John Wick: Chapter 4, and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.