Spyglass Media Group and Paramount Pictures will relaunch the Scream franchise with a fifth film in the series. Now, Neve Campbell has officially signed on to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott in the relaunch.
Campbell made her first appearance as Sidney Prescott in the original Scream film back in 1996 and reprised the role for the three sequels that followed. The fifth Scream film will reunite Campbell with co-stars David Arquette and Courteney Cox, who reprise their respective roles as Sheriff Dwight "Dewey" Riley and writer/journalist Gale Weathers-Riley from the previous four films in the franchise. The legacy cast members will be joined by newcomers Jack Quaid, Melissa Barrera, and Jenna Ortega in undisclosed roles.
Radio Silence Productions filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will direct the fifth Scream film from a screenplay penned by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. "We’re pinching ourselves! It’s hard to express how much the character Sidney Prescott shaped our love of movies and to have the chance to work with Neve is truly a dream come true," Radio Silence said in a statement on Campbell's return. "It just wouldn’t be a Scream movie without Neve and we’re so excited and honored to join her in Woodsboro."
The fifth Scream film will be the first in the series not directed by Wes Craven, who passed away in 2015. However, Campbell gave her blessing to the project in a statement detailing her conversations with Radio Silence. "After spending time speaking with Radio Silence, they have shown such love, respect, and admiration for Wes Craven and all that he’s created in the Scream franchise. I am beyond excited to step back into the role of Sidney Prescott and return to Woodsboro," she said. Campbell also announced her return to the role of Sidney Prescott in a short Instagram video featuring franchise antagonist Ghostface. Her official return to the role follows months of negotiations that involved the filmmakers writing a letter to her in which they pitched their vision for a new Scream film.
Filming will take place in Wilmington, North Carolina with Radio Silence's Chad Villella serving as executive producer alongside producers Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein, and William Sherak. Fans of the franchise may be glad to know Scream creator Kevin Williamson will also return behind-the-scenes as an executive producer.
While a fifth Scream film may receive mixed reactions from fans, at least there may be some comfort in knowing the trio of stars who helped launched the franchise will all be back. That is, of course, assuming they won't be taken out early in the next Scream film, potentially paving the way for the new cast members to lead the franchise.
Scream 5 is scheduled to be released in theaters on January 14, 2022.
Source: Bloody Disgusting