There may be just over a month before Scream 6 hits theaters, but controversy surrounding it being the first movie in the franchise not to star Neve Campbell rages on. The horror series’ “final girl” Sidney Prescott, played by Campbell, has appeared in all five previous Scream films. Campbell said that she had refused an offer to come back in Scream 6, however, because of low pay.
Now, Emma Roberts, who starred as Sidney’s stab-happy cousin Jill Roberts in Scream 4, has spoken out in support of her former co-star, blasting the “ridiculous” move not to pay Campbell what she is worth. Here’s what she had to say.
Emma Roberts responds to Neve Campbell not returning to Scream 6 over pay dispute
“I think it’s ridiculous that she’s not coming back because of money,” Roberts said on the Shut Up Evan podcast. “I hate that we’re at a time in this industry where these big franchises or big shows, they act as though actors are disposable.” She added that the “disrespectful” move upset her, because “Neve made that franchise, and she was the most lovely person to work with.”
“I just think it’s rude,” Roberts concluded. “Obviously, we’re at a time now where things are getting better for sure, or at least if not better, than more transparent. I’m glad that it was out there that Neve wasn’t getting paid so that fans could be upset and not think that she didn’t want to come back.”
In June 2022, Campbell said in a statement (via People): “Sadly I won’t be making the next Scream film. 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.”
Despite her love for the film series and the character she has played, she realized: “I really just couldn’t bear the idea of walking onto [the sixth film] and feeling undervalued.”
Scream 6 slashes its way into theaters on March 10, 2023.
