An actor from the iconic horror franchise Scream has revealed the surprisingly modest sum he continues to earn from one of the films, nearly three decades after its release.
The Scream Franchise Legacy
The Scream series first hit cinema screens in 1996 with its debut installment. Directed by Wes Craven, the film followed Sidney Prescott and her friends as they were hunted by a sadistic killer in a black cloak and white mask: Ghostface. The original film's success led to a sequel in 1997 and a third installment in 2000. After an 11-year hiatus, Scream 4 arrived in 2011. The franchise was revived in 2022 with a fifth film and again in 2023 with a sixth. This year, Scream 7 became the highest-grossing entry in the series to date.
The satirical whodunnit was a massive success, thanks to Kevin Williamson's sharp script and Wes Craven's assured direction. The characters' self-aware nods to horror film conventions were refreshingly novel at the time, and the film played a pivotal role in reigniting enthusiasm for the teen slasher genre.
Craig Shoemaker's Residual Check
This week, Craig Shoemaker, a cast member from Scream 2, disclosed his residual earnings from the film a full 29 years after its release. Shoemaker, an actor and comedian, played the role of 'Artsy Teacher' in the sequel, which grossed $172 million at the box office.
Taking to Instagram, he shared a photo of his residuals check, revealing a total of $34.09. He captioned the post: "In 1999 I was cast in the role of the film professor in the sequel of the original Scream movie, Scream 2, where I lead a conversation in class about film sequels. The residuals keep rolling in, baby! What should I buy with my 34 bucks?"
Scream 7 and Neve Campbell's Return
The most recent installment, Scream 7, hit cinemas earlier this year. The film shifted focus back to the beloved original final girl, Sidney Prescott, portrayed by Neve Campbell, alongside her teenage daughter Tatum, played by Isabel May. Notably, Neve was absent from the sixth Scream film in 2024 due to a pay dispute.
Neve publicly confirmed her withdrawal from the 2024 film, stating: "Sadly, I won't be making the next Scream film. As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise. It's been a very difficult decision to move on." She added: "To all my Scream fans, I love you. You've always been so incredibly supportive to me. I'm forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years."
