Neve Campbell reflects on Sidney’s evolution in ‘Scream 7’

Legendary “final girl” Neve Campbell is stepping back into the shoes of Sidney Prescott for “Scream 7,” and this time, she does so under the direction of franchise creator Kevin Williamson — who is helming his first-ever installment in the long-running horror series he created.

Campbell shared her excitement about reuniting with the writer-turned-director, whom she called “the obvious best choice.”

“Kevin was the obvious best choice to direct. I got to ask him, which was an amazing feeling,” she said in a copy of an interview sent to Inquirer Entertainment. “I’ve always thought it would be a wonderful thing to have Kevin direct. He knows these characters better than anybody.”

Williamson, who penned the original 1996 slasher hit, now takes the director’s chair for the seventh chapter, marking a full-circle moment for the franchise.

For Campbell, returning to embody one of horror’s most iconic heroines came with renewed enthusiasm.

“When I first heard about the story, I was elated. I was really excited about what the journey for Sidney would be,” the actress said. “Audiences have a real affinity for the first film, as we all do. It was exciting to bring classic set pieces and characters back in.”

In “Scream 7,” Sidney is no longer the young, wide-eyed survivor fans first met decades ago. This time, Sidney begins the story in a place of hard-earned peace.

“She has gone through tremendous hardship since then, but she’s a survivor, not a victim. That is what I think people find admirable in her,” Campbell reflected. “She’s finally found happiness. She’s created a family, has children, and has motherhood. She’s found peace. And then, of course, chaos finds her.”

According to the film’s synopsis, when a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes the next target. 

Joining the franchise is Isabel May, who plays Sidney’s daughter, Tatum — a character name that nods to the original film. Given Sidney’s traumatic past, Campbell teased a fiercer maternal side.

“Working with Isabel has been amazing,” Campbell said. “It’s been really fun to have her character introduced into the film and have Sidney have this incredible and complicated relationship with her daughter.”

Fans can also expect more screen time between Sidney and Gale Weathers, played once again by Courteney Cox.

“Their love-hate relationship has always been a lot of fun,” Campbell expressed. “We get to see more of that this time as they become even closer. Gale brings so much humor to these films and Courteney adds an important layer of humanity to her.”

Nearly three decades since the original slasher redefined the genre, Campbell marveled at the franchise’s staying power.

“People of all ages still have fun with all of these films. They’re engaged in the journey of all the characters,” she said. “I’ve heard of folks going back 20 times. Each one is a new kind of roller coaster.” /ra