Ghostface will strike again in 2023, but as has been widely reported, Scream 6 will notably feature the absence of perennial final girl Sidney Prescott. In all five prior films, Neve Campbell played Sidney, and fans had expected her to return when it was announced that a sixth Scream was in the works. Campbell has since announced that she declined the sequel as she felt that the offer was too low, considering the value she brings to the series.

Scream 6 moved on without Campbell, though Courteney Cox returns alongside many of the new stars of the franchise introduced in 2022’s Scream. Among them is Jenna Ortega, who recently teased what fans can expect to see in the sequel. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the Wednesday star addressed Campbell’s absence, suggesting that there’s so much bloody action in the film that fans should be distracted from that, but in a way that’s satisfying for horror fans.

Sidney’s not around, but that doesn’t mean that the character has been forgotten. Ortega can’t be specific, of course, but she does reveal that Scream 6 acknowledges Sidney in some ways, though always in a way that’s respectful.

“But it’s very clear, like, there’s references to Sidney, of course. You know, it’s nice because there’s still a protectiveness in the script and that’s something that the actors had naturally over her because obviously we respect her and we want the best for her. She’s missed and thought of.”

Will Sidney Ever Have Another Brush With Ghostface?

     Paramount Pictures

Scream 6 has already been filmed, and we’ll see in March just how well fans will accept a Scream movie without Sidney Prescott. If the franchise continues, there’s always a chance that Campbell could make her return as Sidney in Scream 7. That might require a larger offer than the one she was given for the fifth Scream, but there are many hoping to see Sidney eventually face of with Ghostface again, including her franchise co-star David Arquette.

“I’d love for her to be a part of [Scream 7],” Arquette said in a ComicBook.com interview. “A Scream movie without Sidney is kind of unfortunate, but I understand her decision. It’s all a business in a way, they have to balance all these elements to fit a budget and produce a film.

He optimistically added, “I get it, she’s still alive! She [can] absolutely be in future ones, but I think it’s up to fans to call for that in the future.”

Meanwhile, some fans just aren’t sure what to believe. Though Campbell declined the initial offer she was given, a surprise cameo could have been secretly filmed if the two sides were able to end up working out a deal in private. Some are still holding out hope that Campbell will make an appearance in a post-credit scene, if nothing else, to tease the next Scream sequel.

Scream 6 will be released in movie theaters on March 10, 2023.