Neve Campbell promises the fourth horror sequel is "really fun." / Phil Bray/Dimension Films
Scream 4: Clip from the horror film Scream 4, featuring Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere.
More
Though she has worked steadily in smaller films and theater, Neve Campbell, 37, has largely been off the Hollywood radar for the past decade.
And it seems she wouldn't have it any other way, living single (she and actor John Light divorced recently after three years of marriage) in London's posh Holland Park.
Now she's back, co-starring with Courteney Cox in fan favorite, Scream 4, the latest installment of Wes Craven's horror parody franchise opening April 15. Once again, Campbell's Sidney Prescott finds herself the beleaguered prey of psychopathic killer Ghostface.
We recently caught up with Campbell.
Is it true you initially turned down Scream 4?
"Yeah. I thought we couldn't do it any better [than 2000's Scream 3]. I also didn't think audiences would still be interested! But after some coaxing and a great pitch that it might be something really fun not just for the cast but for audiences as well, [I changed my mind]."
What's the gist this time?
"Unfortunately, I can't tell you a whole lot because I'm sworn to secrecy. But Sidney has come to a point in her life when she's overcome her troubles and has written a self-help book to help people get through their own trauma. But the trouble starts all over again!"
How was it working with the new generation of kids like Emma Roberts and Rory Culkin?
"It was funny because Courteney and I realized at our age, we could be their mothers! I think they were all like 5 when we made the first film."
Is it true this was the first time you and Courteney Cox really bonded?
"Absolutely. We didn't have a lot of scenes together in the other films, and maybe the age gap seemed vaster then. [Cox is 46.] Now I'm more grown up and we have a lot to relate to each other. But I absolutely love that woman."
Did you do your own stunts?
'I had some action sequences where I'm wearing a harness. I actually injured my foot training for the film and did the whole film with a swollen metatarsal."
Do you get freaked out filming?
"No. I'm surrounded by 60 crewmembers and I'm covered in corn syrup. Someone's holding a plastic knife so, no, it's nothing to be scared of."
I understand you’re not even a fan of scary movies?
"I mean, not really, no. They just haven’t been that fun for me as a viewer. I saw The Changeling when I was 13 years old at a girl friend’s house and was absolutely terrified! I don’t think I saw a horror film for years and years after that – up until I did the first Scream actually. I think the concept of scaring myself for two hours never made a whole lot of sense to me. [Laughs.] But I enjoy them now. Actually, Jada Pinkett [Smith] when we did Scream 2 and she heard I hadn’t seen Wes’ films [director Wes Craven, of the Nightmare of Elm Street franchise] bought me a whole bunch of them and I watched them and they were quite fun.
What do you think fans get out of horror films like the Scream films?
"I think it’s cathartic. Absolutely. It’s like going on a rollercoaster and getting an adrenaline rush. There’s something fun about freaking yourself out. I realize that now!"
Do you have advice for the new generation of kids in Scream 4 like Emma Roberts and Rory Culkin?
"No. To be honest the young actors in this film, they’ve been around the block and they’ve worked quite a bit and they’re professionals in their own right."
People definitely feel like they’ve grown up with you. Living in London, do people recognize you the way they would here?
"I’m more anonymous here, which I actually really like. Some people, though, still recognize me but they don’t come up to you as often. The British are more reserved about celebrities. They don’t approach you, but you can see them clocking you."
Is London home base, not L.A.?
"Yeah. I’ve been here for six years and I just love being here. There’s so much culture and so much to do and the vibe is wonderful. It’s exciting and I like being close to other cultures and countries."
Do you stay in touch with the Party of Five folks?
"I do. I actually just had dinner with Matthew Fox last week. He’s in town doing a Neil LaBute play and it was really nice because we really haven’t seen each other properly in a very long time. And I see Scott Wolf and Lacey [Chabert] every time I’m in L.A."
Have you ever been approached about a Party of Five reunion?
"No, no. It wouldn’t make sense to revisit that probably for any of us. It was a lovely show and I think it was a great, great story and great writers. But there are things you should finish and I think we left that one on a good note."
But you said that about the Scream franchise!
"I know! We’ll see I guess. People are very excited which puts quite the pressure on, doesn’t it? Hopefully we’ll please people."
What are your favorite things right now?
"I saw a great band called Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros at Lollapalooza with the Scream cast. At the moment I am reading a really wonderful book called Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. And I am also reading an inspiring book called Three Cups of Tea about a man who climbed a mountain and discovered how to be charitable and has opened schools in remote parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
"And I’ve been working with an organization in South Africa for the last couple of years. It’s called Botshabelo (Botshabelo.org). It’s just outside of Johannesburg and they raise money to build classrooms for children and also create business models for orphanages around Africa. All the schools will have a garden, a chicken coop and a well, each to teach children how to farm for themselves because there are not enough adults to take care of all the orphans there. So the kids have to learn how to take care of themselves and be self-sufficient."
POWERED BY USA WEEKEND Magazine & more than 
