Can Scream go on without Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott? If the rumors are true, she could be walking, but can the franchise carry on without her?
Hello Sidney… is not a phrase we’re likely to hear again anytime soon. Rumors flooded the web this week regarding Neve Campbell’s status on the upcoming sixth instalment to the Scream franchise; it has now been confirmed that Campbell will not be reprising her role as renowned final girl Sidney Prescott. While Courtney Cox’s Gale Weathers will return to Woodsboro to face Ghostface yet again, can Scream handle the loss of Campbell’s leading hero?
Can Scream Go On Without Sidney Prescott?
During an appearance at the Monsterpalooza convention over the weekend, Campbell announced to fans that she is stepping down from the iconic role that shot her to the horror hall of fame in 1996. Many across social media are expressing a mixed response to the news, but the consensus is that many are in mourning of the resilient protagonist.
The latest project was green-lit earlier this year shortly after the fifth film was released, which saw Woodsboro veterans Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette reunite on-screen for the first time in 17 years.
Now, only Cox remains attached to the project after both Arquette and Campbell have bowed out – Arquette’s fan-favourite Dewey was killed in an altercation with the series villain in the most recent chapter. Scream 6 wouldn’t be the first horror franchise to continue without its leading lady; Halloween spun several sequels without Jamie Lee Curtis, and they didn’t fare well with fans to say the least.
Curtis’ absence is notable and losing her meant also losing the essence of Halloween; the direction felt ambiguous, and it no longer held the appeal of what makes John Carpenter’s 1978 slasher a classic; should this be a foresight to Scream suffering the same fate?
Campbell’s role in Scream (2022) is significantly reduced, instead drawing focus into a fresh batch of characters and breathing new life into the saga. This stands as a fitting goodbye to the original trio; it’s passing of the baton onto the next generation as newcomers Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera take up the mantle.
The film serves to be a promising reboot of sorts that contends with the original while opening a door to a list of possibilities. However, Campbell still plays a crucial part in the plot as well as preserving Wes Craven’s and Scream’s legacy. If this follow up makes one thing clear, though, it’s that Sidney’s story may very well be over.
Logistically, Sidney’s journey has fulfilled its purpose. In fact, this is exactly what the original trilogy sets out to achieve, which it does by Scream 3. A central component of Sidney’s characterization is her battle with grief.
Each film deals with various aspects of this but her struggle is heavily depicted in the third, bringing the story full circle before seeing Sidney eventually find closure with her trauma. There is no longer an invisible thread tying Sidney to the horror anymore – besides Ghostface tormenting the Woodsboro locals.
As painful as this admission may be, there doesn’t seem to be a solid reason for Sidney to resume the fight against copycat killers. We could have said goodbye way back in 2003, yet the franchise continues to push forward, and what is Scream without Sidney Prescott?
Despite her arc wrapping up, Campbell is the face of Scream. Without her, there would be no franchise. Sidney is a compelling character; she has left a lasting impact because of Campbell’s dedication to delving into and breaking down layers of depth, and breaching the barriers of conventional tropes. She is arguably the definitive final girl of the 90s – and possibly of all horror history, though this is a tight race.
Sidney changed the game, and rightfully should be appreciated for her tenacity to survive. Campbell’s presence in Scream (2022), albeit brief, grounds the film with vulnerability and wit; her performance throughout the entire saga is powerful, poignant even. The star is constantly finding ways to reinvent her role and brings a rare quality to every movie, no matter how repetitive the material, and we never get tired of rooting for her.
This could be the perfect time to move on and cut Sidney some slack for once. Ortega and Barrera have proven to be more than capable of continuing the story – not that there were any doubts. A new start is perhaps what the franchise needs to avoid falling into a tiresome game of cat and mouse that serves the same bloody dish time after time; how often has Gale skipped out on death by the skin of her teeth?
Yes, the same could be said for Dewey over the course of the five films, however Scream (2022) rectifies the predictability of before and takes the leap in plunging Dewey towards his demise. If the series wants to begin from scratch though, they need to do exactly that and either hang up the cloak or cut all ties from its predecessors and spin-off into its own territory.
In a coincidental twist of fate, on the other hand, life is imitating art with Campbell’s absence in what may be the last film in the saga; the Scream series is known for its meta approach to the horror genre and incorporates a franchise within a franchise through the fictional ‘Stab’ film collection – it’s mentioned in 2022’s revival that Sidney’s ‘Stab’ character is in all but the final movie. It’s currently unclear on whether Scream 6 is to conclude a two decade long phenomenon, but the irony is there nonetheless.
Where Scream (2022) begins to sever the bond to the original trilogy, Scream 6 could be the final nail in the coffin by ending Sidney’s story completely. Removing Sidney from the equation isn’t a matter that should be up for debate.
To say Campbell is the beating heart of the Scream franchise would be an understatement. Scream 6 still holds the power to pull this out of the bag even without Campbell, but retirement could be closer than ever for the beloved film series as we say goodbye to a monumental figure.
NEXT: Scream (2022) Review: Predictable But Still A Blast!
Jenna is a Film and Visual Culture graduate and freelance entertainment writer from Scotland. Her passion lies with TV and horror, where she will take any opportunity to geek out. Jenna spends her free time binging shows and looking to be spooked.