[This interview contains spoilers for Scream (2022). ]
There’s still a lot of life left in Woodsboro, as Neve Campbell’s Scream (2022) is the third film in the meta-slasher franchise to open at the top of the domestic box office. In matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s “sequel”,Campbell reprises his signature role as Sidney Prescott and is introduced to a whole new generation of Woodsboro children facing the risk of Ghostface. Campbell’s character can, however, follow luke Skywalker’s trail in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. In the end, this did not happen because the duty belonged to David Arquette’s Dewey. For Campbell, seeing Sidney become a victim of Ghostface. it’s something you never need to see on screen because it represents survival for many people.
“I think it’s vital [that she never becomes a victim in those movies],” Campbell told The Hollywood Reporter. “It represents a sure strength and a lack of victimization, and that means a lot to other people. I’ve had a lot of other people come to me in the afterlife and just tell me that she encouraged them in some way or helped them in their lives in some way, which is not what you normally expect when you’re starring in a horror movie. I would surely hate to see Sidney. Je I think that would be the message.
This latest installment is still bittersweet for Campbell, as it is the first circular without franchise architect Wes Craven, who directed the last 4 chapters. The feelings came to a head.
“Walking on this tray without Wes being provided, with a sign hanging in the kitchen that said ‘For Wes,’ I burst into tears when I walked in on the first day,” Campbell said. “And from what I understand, Courteney [Cox] and David did too. In fact, I felt his absence, but I also felt his presence daily in the film. These movies, those characters, the Ghostface photographs and those sets belong to Wes, so he very, provide in our minds and in our conversations as well.
In a recent verbal exchange with THR, Campbell also explained whether he would be in a position to return to some other comeback in a Scream 6 imaginable.
So we last spoke in Castle in the Floor Press, and that’s when you announced you were in talks for Scream (2022). Looking back, what were the high points for you at that time?
That the script is good, that the administrators respect Wes’ taste, and that it’s in line with the other films, obviously. I was afraid we weren’t a component of it, and I was nervous that someone could succeed and get the tone, the humor, the intelligence, the meta-ness and all that. (Laughter. ) But Matt and Tyler sent me a letter, describing their love for Wes and saying they were administrators for Wes Craven. He had encouraged them to become filmmakers and they made Ready or Not because of the Scream movies. I had noticed Ready or Not before I knew they were involved in this movie, and I thought it was a wonderful movie. So when I knew it was them, I thought, “Wow, they definitely have the right tone. I can see their influence. And the fact that it was very important for them to honor Wes in the right way meant a lot to me. So I read the script and it was literally wonderful. I think, “Why not? Let’s try. ” (Laughter. )
Sidney survived the movie, which relieved me a lot. I was pretty worried that it was everything to her and at this rate, I don’t think I can bear to see Sydney as a victim. Since she is a symbol of survival for many. People, do you care that she’s never a victim in those movies?
I think it’s important. As you said, it represents a sure force and an absence of victimization, and that means a lot to other people. Many other people have come to me in the afterlife and simply told me that she encouraged them in some way. it helped them in their lives in some way, which is not what you normally expect when you star in a horror movie. (Laughter. ) But it means a lot to other people, and you’re probably not the only user who feels that way. I would surely hate to see Sidney. Je I think that would be the message.
It has already suffered enough.
(Laughter. ) You have enough! That’s for sure.
So, did you play your first scene as if you were married to Mark Kincaid (Patrick Dempsey)?Or is it something that was shown after the fact?
To be honest, I didn’t even notice. (Laughter. ) I’m honest. Yes, Courteney told me the other day; she said, “No, Mark!”And I said, “Oh my God, of course!” (Laughter. )and two together.
Scream’s Holy Trinity, David [Arquette] and Courteney [Cox] didn’t get a chance to appear in combination on screen for the last time. At least the three of you could see them filming off-camera?
Yes absolutely. Courteney and I seem dazzlingly combined on screen, but not with David. But we had dinner with each and every one, really, and we connected with each and every one. It was strange because Covid. No we could see the faces of the crew throughout the filming, which is complicated and strange. I still like to sit in front of the monitor and be with the admins and see what the plans are and talk about what they’re looking for, but I haven’t had a chance to do that yet because of Covid. I had to sit in another room with a monitor and it was strange to me. So, there were some facets of the connection that didn’t take place this time, but with the casting, because we were shooting scenes without a mask and we were being evaluated every day, infrequently twice a day, we were able to have some dinners in combination, which was lovely.
They built Stu Macher’s (Matthew Lillard) space in a sound studio as they did in Scream 3. In which film is Macher’s space stranger?
This movie, of course, because there’s an ode to Wes in it. Walking on that tray without Wes, with a sign hanging in the kitchen that said “For Wes,” I burst into tears when I walked in on the first day. And from what I understand, Courteney and David did too. In fact, I felt his absence, but I also felt his presence daily in the film. These movies, those characters, the Ghostface photographs and those sets belong to Wes. , so it was very, very proportionate in our minds and in our conversations as well. If anyone was worried about a selection being made, we would let them know what Wes would like to do, and the admins really appreciated it and looked to hear it, which was great.
During the house party, the characters toast their friend Wes (Dylan Minnette), who was an obvious replacement for Wes Craven. So, the administrators asked many of the franchise’s characters, beyond and present, for audio tracks to merge into one. large grill “To Wes!”. Had you heard of this tribute?
Yes, it was very special. They like Wes, and I wish they had time with him, to be honest. It’s so lovely to see the influence Wes has had on other people, even if they haven’t had a chance to meet him. The fact that he encouraged other people to become filmmakers is incredible.
You shot in Wilmington, North Carolina, which is fitting since I read that the original film looked closely at North Carolina as a filming location. Sound familiar?
I can’t remember! That’s a long time ago. (Laughter. ) It’s true?
According to the Internet, he comments on it in one of his countless documentaries.
So that’s right. (Laughter. )
Returning to Stu’s house, I realized how the designers in the production didn’t recreate the interior to look exactly like the one in 1996. They were referring to what the genuine Marin County house looks like today.
Yes, the décor and designers did an amazing job. Honestly, it’s scary to get in there. It’s like going back in time. (Laughter. )
There are times when Sydney and Gale recognize what’s going to happen before it happens, like a trap set. Have you and Courteney had the same moments as actors on this Scream set?Do they have certain photographs and sounds triggered beyond memories?
Yes, of course. The latest series in the Stu area is very reminiscent of the original and there have been many memories of when we did it 25 years ago. I like the same cuisine, the same area and the same energy. Yes, it’s surreal enough to be honest, however, I think the young actors did an amazing job. They’re very talented and it’s a lot like the energy that Jamie [Kennedy], Matt [Lillard], Skeet [Ulrich], Rose [McGowan] and everyone else brought to those scenes.
Speaking of Skeet, I know he was on set for a few days filming his moments. Did you find it by chance?
Let me think about it because we did it before and after. . . In fact, I don’t think he was there when I was there. I think it was already done when I arrived, which is similar to Drew [Barrymore] in the first one. It was like separate movies.
I heard that you invited some new ones to your space to play cards.
Yes!
Did you feel about being their mentor?
I didn’t feel like I needed those kids. They are such professionals in their own right. They are so talented and committed and on point. They’re also huge fans of the franchise, so they knew the tone well and they knew what they were looking to bring to the table and they knew what the Scream videos needed in terms of power and acting. Not to say I didn’t say anything to them, but Melissa [Barrera] reminded me that I told her to laugh. And to be honest, that’s the most vital thing in those videos. You can’t take it too seriously. I mean, yes, of course it’s vital that we do smart work, but it’s also very important to laugh. This is where the commitment and joy of the characters comes. So, like I said, they did a wonderful job, and I think they had a great time from what I understand. It seemed like they were laughing as hard as we were at first. In the first, we essentially stayed together in a motel in Santa Rosa. We were all in the same hallway with our rooms next to each other, and it was a bit like being at summer camp. And due to Covid, those young people have all stayed in the same hotel under similar circumstances. They did not swoon with circle of family or friends; they were far from each other. They were given to meet each other and bond, so it was wonderful to see that.
Melissa told me that the knife slipped out of Ghostface’s gloves and that a genuine knife hit her.
Wow, I didn’t know that!
And I told him it reminded me of the umbrella story from the first movie where you stung/stabbed Skeet. This story is true, is it rarely?
Yes, I think it’s true now that you remind me of it. (Laughter. ) Yes, those things, those slips, take place in those movies.
I recently read an appealing concept for a Scream movie that further analyzes the meta aspect of things. Basically, it would be set in the “real world” where you would play a fictional Neve Campbell, and allow everything beyond patients to pass as fictional versions of their real lives. And instead of just employing horror tropes to solve a real-world Ghostface threat, you’ll also have to rely on your own Scream movies for advice. Is Neve Campbell betting in a Scream movie?spending too far in the role of the rabbit for you?
(Laughter. ) Sounds pretty fun! To be honest, I don’t know if there is such a thing as “too far down the rabbit hole” with the Scream movies. You have to go through there and be in a position to take the audience with you.
Did you do anything quick to locate your character?Or do you know it so well that you can soften this component of yourself?
Yes, I don’t want to review the movies. I know them pretty well and in fact I know Sydney pretty well. There’s a little bit of you, and the fact that Sidney is now a mother, it was smart to take it to her. It was another point of ferocity for Sydney. ( Laughter. )
When you see old photographs of Sydney in passing, what goes through your head?
It’s the making of the film, the moments on set and what was going on on set. I don’t think about the following moments.
Since Scream (2022) had a very strong opening weekend, you’ll probably be told that it’s coming back one day. Will his return feature the same points above, such as the strength of history and history?
Yes absolutely. It all depends on the strength of the story. I wouldn’t need to do that unless the script is good. That would be difficult. (Laughter. ) But those guys did well on this one, so I’m curious to see what’s next. So let’s see.
I am already worried about his fate in the one.
(Laughter. ) You never know, right?
By the way, in our last conversation, I mentioned to you that I snuck into Scream over 25 years ago because my friends and I were so young, and that’s when you surprised me by saying you never snuck into an R-rated movie. So I’ve been shocked ever since that conversation.
(Laughter. ) Do you think everyone sneaked into an R-rated movie less than me?
I think it’s a rite of passage not unusual!
I don’t think so! I don’t think it’s that unusual to be a criminal. (Laughter. )
Have you at least seen an R-rated movie at home before you’re old enough?
Yes, I’m sure I did. We had some looping stuff because we had some VHS tapes. (Laughter. ) We had Ghostbusters, we had Trading Places. . . Did place exchanges have an R rating?
Was! [Writer’s note: Interestingly, there is a reference to Trading Places in Scream (1996). ]
There! That would be the right one.
Scream is now on view in theaters across the country.