Photo: J. Merritt/Getty; John Shearer/Getty

Neve Campbell, Emma Roberts

Emma Robertscan’t wrap her head aroundNeve Campbellnot returning for the nextScreammovie.

Earlier this month, Campbell, 48,confirmed that she will not be backfor the upcoming sixth movie in the horror franchise after starring in each entry since the 1996 original.

“Sadly I won’t be making the nextScreamfilm. As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes toScream,” said the actress, who played Sidney Prescott in the movies. “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. To all myScreamfans, 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,” Campbell added.

Roberts, 31, played Campbell’s onscreen cousin Jill in 2011’sScream 4. She was asked about the actress’s departure during aninterviewwith Jake’s Takes while promoting her new movieAbandoned.

“Someone just sent me that [news] last night, and I was like, ‘This can’t be real news. Like, this has to be fake!’ " said Roberts. “I mean, she’s queen. That’s all I have to say.”

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Emma Roberts, Neve Campbell Scream 4

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Campbell last returned for the fifth installment, which premiered earlier this year. FromReady or NotdirectorsMatt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, it was the first film in the franchise to not have director Wes Craven attached, after he died of a brain tumor in August 2015.

Some otherScreammovie alums have spoken out about Campbell’s decision to not reprise her iconic role.

Matthew Lillardexpressed his support for his former costarduring aTwitter Spaceschat with Midnite Movie Club, saying, “Did Tom Cruise take less money for [Top Gun: Maverick]? F— no, dude. So why is a woman supposed to take less? Why wouldn’t you pay her more as the series goes on? WasScream 5a hit or not a hit? It was a smash hit. Did they make a s— ton of money? Yes.”

“Should Neve Campbell be paid for the work she’s done in five movies of a franchise? Yes, because she’s a female lead of one of the most successful horror franchises,” Lillard added.

Fellow legacy starCourteney Coxhas confirmed her return to the franchise,giving an updateto theJust for Varietypodcast back in December after getting the script. “I got the script yesterday,” she said at the time. “I haven’t read it yet, I just got it… I’m excited to read it, and I know they’re going to start filming… I think, in June, in Canada.”

source: people.com