Scream 4 Will Go on Without Sidney

Neve Campbell has turned down the 4th Scream due to schedule

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

Even though the filmmakers behind the blockbuster Scream trilogy (1996-2000) promised that the third installment would be the last, screenwriter Kevin Williamson (I Know What You Did Last Summer) is underway on Scream 4! But the star of the three previous films, Neve Campbell (pictured right), has refused to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott.

"Trying to figure out a Sid-less scenario," Williamson allegedly posted on his Twitter page. "She won't do it. This sucks." Campbell, 35, reportedly is just too busy to commit to the role that helped make her a household name, as she has several other movies on the go (including Owl Song and Vivaldi), and is currently starring in the NBC drama series The Philanthropist.

It was earlier this year that Williamson, 44, annonced that he was working on a second trilogy for the Scream movies, which reignited the slasher film genre during the second half of the '90s. Apparently, co-stars Courteney Cox-Arquette and David Arquette are in talks over returning to their roles as Gale Weathers and Dewey Riley, respectively.

Wes Craven, who directed all three of the original films, has been rumoured to be in negotiations to helm Scream 4 as well. The first trio of films was a major success at the box office, grossing more than $500 million combined. A who's-who of Hollywood elite have made the rounds in one or all of the three flicks, including Drew Barrymore, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Patrick Dempsey. Scream 4 is planned to reach theatres sometime next year.