Neve Campbell‘s meteoric rise to stardom, thanks to her iconic role in the “Scream” film franchise following her success on “Party of Five,” has been a journey marked by both triumph and occasional turbulence. In the soft-reboot of the series with 2022’s “Scream,” Campbell made a triumphant return to the role of Sidney Prescott. However, when it came to “Scream VI,” the actress found herself at odds with the studio over her compensation, resulting in Sidney’s absence from the New York storyline. As Christopher Landon gears up for his entry into the franchise, the question looms whether the beloved face of the series will be able to rejoin the fray.

The screenwriter who kickstarted it all, Kevin Williamson, has shed light on his original plans for “Scream 5” and “Scream VI,” which included a multi-film arc centered around Sidney Prescott’s love life. Building on the foundation of the first film, where the shocking revelation of her boyfriend, Billy Loomis, being one of the original killers shook her world, Williamson contemplated a storyline in which Sidney’s romantic journey was marred by constant paranoia and mistrust, mirroring the events of the two films.

According to ScreenRant, Williamson confirmed that “Scream 5” and “6” were envisioned as a continuation of Sidney Prescott’s love story, exploring her relationships, her marriage, her suspicions about her husband, her struggles with trust stemming from her traumatic past, and the haunting question of whether she was falling in love with a killer all over again. Williamson added that Sidney would grapple with the fear that she might be “Billy Loomis-ing herself all over again,” a testament to the profound impact of betrayal on her ability to trust and love in the years following the events of the original “Scream” in 1996. However, the identity of Sidney’s potential spouse in this alternate version remains a mystery.

In hindsight, the decision to change the direction of the films was likely a wise one, as “Scream 2” had already explored the theme of history repeating itself. While fans undoubtedly would have welcomed Campbell’s return alongside other original cast members, the pivot in the storyline appears to have been the better choice. As “Scream 7” takes shape, Kevin Williamson has expressed support for Neve Campbell, advocating for the studio to meet her compensation demands. He stated, “I totally respect her opinion…I know exactly where she’s coming from, I know her well. I love and adore her, and that’s what she did. It’s right for her. I love everyone involved in ‘Scream,’ and all I can say is, pay her the money. That’s what I would do, I would give her the money. … I’m sure there’s a number they can agree on that will make them both happy, so hopefully one day they will figure that all out.”