Why isn’t Neve Campbell in ‘Scream VI’?

The ‘Scream’ franchise is changing locations to New York City, but Neve Campbell won’t be returning to the cast to fight the newest Ghostface.

Campbell was first introduced to the franchise in 1996 for her role as Sidney Prescott and has appeared in every film since then.

Why isn’t Neve Campbell in ‘Scream VI’?

The 49-year-old actress confirmed that she would not be starring in the latest addition to the franchise due to an inadequate financial offer to be in the movie.

“Sadly, I won’t be making the next Scream film,” Campbell said in a statement to Vanity Fair back in August 2022.

“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.”

Campbell went on to explain that after 25 years of putting her heart into these films, she had hoped to receive an offer that was in line with the value she brings.

Campbell stands up for equal pay in the industry

When asked further about what she was offered, Campbell took the chance to explain that she believes her salary would be a non-factor if she were a man.

“I honestly don’t believe that if I were a man and had done five installments of a huge blockbuster franchise over 25 years, that the number that I was offered would be the number that would be offered to a man,” she said in an interview with People.

“And in my soul, I just couldn’t do that. I couldn’t walk on set feeling that—feeling undervalued and feeling the unfairness, or lack of fairness, around that.”

Campbell later released an official statement to thank ‘Scream’ fans in supporting her decision.

“It’s been a very difficult decision to move on. 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,” the statement read.

‘Scream VI’ stars open up about Campbell’s absence

During the recent press tour for the upcoming film, some of the stars of ‘Scream VI’ were able to share their thoughts on Campbell’s departure from the franchise.

Fellow ‘Scream’ veteran Courtney Cox explained that she was saddened by the news of Campbell leaving, but ultimately still has a lot of love and respect for her as an actress.

“We always have different storylines but she is always missed,” Cox told The Hollywood Reporter. “She’s an incredible actor and girl.”

Melissa Barrera, who is returning to her role as Sam Carpenter, told Variety that Campbell’s exit was surprising, but she applauded her for standing her ground about equal pay.

“It was shocking, but also, as a woman, I get it. Especially as a woman of color, I deal with that stuff all the time where I feel like they’re not paying me what I know that I’m worth,” Barrera said. “But usually for me, I feel like it’s because I’m a Latina, and they don’t value us as much as white women.”

“So if Neve being a white woman is feeling undervalued, that just goes to show how much of a problem it is in the industry. I applaud her sticking to what she believes in.”