Directed by Wes Carven, the Scream series started in 1996. The movie was hailed for its self-referential approach to horror and for having far more intelligent characters. It starred Neve Campbell as Sidney and Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers.
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The movie went to revive the horror genre and resulted in many imitations. Meant initially to play the movie’s final girl, Drew Barrymore was replaced by Neve Campbell who ended up playing a large part in all the future installments.
Neve Campbell and her future in Scream
After suffering through a studio nightmare, Scream 5 was announced to be returning with the original cast for the fifth installment of the series, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. But, after the recent announcement of Scream 6, Neve Campell has decided to leave the franchise.
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Despite her not returning to the franchise, the actor has many exciting productions ahead, including Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer and Peacock’s Twisted Metal with Anthony Mackie. She also starred in the highly successful Netflix show House of Cards before its end.
Discrimination against a female lead
The actor stated in June that she won’t be starring in the next Scream movie. Asserting that she wasn’t given an unfair amount to return for the franchise, despite working very hard in her career and featuring as the franchise’s lead in many of the installments.
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Commenting on the discrepancy between the pay that male and female leads get, she felt undervalued. She considered that to be another reason for her not returning and stated to People magazine:
“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.”
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Further, the actor recognized the love and support the fans have given her and the franchise for over 25 years, stating she will be forever grateful to them, but she has to move on.
Scream 6 is expected to release on March 31 of 2023.
Source: People