An actor who appeared in Scream 2 is lifting the lid on how much he still makes from the movie nearly 30 years after its release.
“In 1997 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,” actor Craig Shoemaker wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, June 16, alongside a photo of a royalty statement totaling $34.09.
“The residuals keep rolling in, baby!” he quipped. “What should I buy with my 34 bucks?”
Scream 2 was released in 1997 following the success of Scream the previous year. The sequel reunited Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, as well as introducing new characters played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laurie Metcalfe, Jerry O’Connell and Jada Pinkett Smith. The film grossed around $172 million worldwide.
Campbell returned to the Scream franchise earlier this year for Scream 7, after declining to appear in 2023’s Scream VI over a salary dispute. According to Variety, she was paid nearly $7 million to once again play final girl Sydney Prescott, while Cox earned $2 million to reprise her role as Gale Weathers.
“When I made that decision, I just didn’t think I could live with myself walking on set,” Campbell said of turning down Scream VI during a February appearance on CBS Mornings. “I just didn’t feel right. I just knew that my value to this franchise was bigger than what had been offered. For me, I needed to make that choice.”
“When I said goodbye to it, I thought that was it. I knew that there was a good chance that would be it,” she added.
Scream 7 director and cowriter Kevin Williamson told Deadline in February that he and Campbell have discussed an idea for an eighth film.
As inevitable as death and taxes is another Scream movie installment — but we’re not complaining. This weekend, Scream 7 graces theaters everywhere, and with it comes the exciting return of one of Scream‘s original actors, Neve Campbell, who returns to the franchise after skipping Scream VI. We couldn’t be more excited to herald the next chapter […]
“When you’re sitting on the set at 3 in the morning, you’re like, ‘Well, what would Scream 8 be about?’ And you just start spit-balling,” said Williamson. “And Neve had this great idea, and everyone seemed to run with it. So yeah, if this movie works and people want it, we’re here for the fans. So, if they want it, we’ll certainly give it to them.”
Scream 7 earned over $200 million at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing film in the stalwart horror franchise.
Paramount reportedly began work on Scream 8 in March, hiring Poker Face writers Lilla and Nora Zuckerman to pen the script, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
