“I was sad to miss the last one”

Neve Campbell is as happy as Shout fans are talking about his return in the next film in the long-running horror franchise.

The actor first played the role of Sidney Prescott in 1996. Shoutand she returned for each of the sequels except 2023 Scream VI due to contract negotiation issues. Now she’s back for the next one Scream 7and she says she’s “so excited” to play Sidney again.

“These films have played such an important role in my life and it means so much to me, and I was sad to miss the last one, to not be a part of it,” Campbell told PEOPLE at the premiere of Reefer Madness: The Musical in Los Angeles on Thursday. “I was really grateful that they came back to me in a respectful way. I think it means a lot to women and to society. I’m grateful to be able to put myself in Sidney’s shoes again and tell her story. ”

Campbell also praised her character for being “strong”, adding that she “inspired a lot of people”.

“I meet a lot of fans who say his strength got them through tough times,” Campbell said. “And that means more than I could have imagined to some people.”

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Campbell made headlines when she notably walked away from Scream VI, which marked the first time in the franchise’s history that it skipped a film. “As a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my worth, especially when it comes to Shout,“ Campbell said in a statement after his departure. “I felt the offer I was presented with did not match the value I brought to the franchise.”

“I made a strong statement a few years ago,” she later said. “I actually didn’t think the way I was treated would have happened if I had been a man and deserved a certain thing for carrying this franchise as long as I did.”

Campbell announced his return for Scream 7 in March this year. “I’m so excited to announce this news!!! Sidney Prescott is coming back!!!!” Campbell posted on Instagram with a cover page for an “Untitled Shout 7″. “It has always been such a pleasure and an honor to be able to play Sidney in the Shout movies. My appreciation for these films and what they have meant to me has never diminished.”

Director Kevin Williamson reposted Campbell’s photo with his own caption: “It’s been almost 30 years since my very first script, Shout, was directed by the legendary Wes Craven. I never would have predicted what it would become. Or that I would direct the seventh installment of the franchise. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement, and can’t wait to take this journey with Neve and the entire team. Shout family as we bring back Sidney Prescott in the next chapter of the Shout franchise. Thanks to all Shout Fans. You are the gift that keeps on giving.”

Campbell returns to series after 2022 departure Shout And Scream VI leading ladies Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. In November, EW confirmed that production company Spyglass Media Group had dropped Barrera from the seventh Shout film after posting a series of messages on social media expressing support for the Palestinian cause and criticizing Israeli actions since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, Ortega will not appear in Scream 7 due to a scheduling conflict.