The Halloween and Scream franchises have a lot in common. Both revolutionized the slasher genre, introducing it to new generations in 1978 and 1996. Both have deep-rooted connections to Psycho (1960). And both feature the two most iconic Scream Queens of all time—Jamie Lee Curtis and Neve Campbell.

Variety recently brought the two together for a virtual crossover, a reunion that, surprisingly, wasn’t their first time sharing the screen. In the dark comedy Drowning Mona (2000), both actresses played suspects in the murder of Bette Midler’s title character.

Their recent conversation was packed with memorable moments, covering their experiences as franchise leaders, industry challenges, and reflections on horror history.

The Weinsteins & The Industry’s Dark Past

Fans are celebrating the end of the Weinstein era—but for Campbell and Curtis, it was more than just a creative struggle.

Both actresses worked under the disgraced producers—Neve throughout the Scream quadrilogy (1996-2011), and Jamie Lee in Halloween H20 (1998) and Halloween: Resurrection (2002).

“Obviously, someone was making a lot of money—it was not me,” Curtis stated. “And it was only in the latter years—the H20, the 2018 Halloween—which, by the way, we made for scale.”

Neve, nodding in agreement, added:

“There’s always the promise of back end. And then, of course, it’s drowned in publicity and costs, and all the reasons they say, ‘Oh, actually no, we didn’t make the amount of money that we’re claiming we made in all the press, so that we don’t have to give you that,’ unfortunately. It was the Weinsteins.”

The knowing looks and smirks exchanged between the two said everything that words didn’t.

Action Figures & NECA’s Promise

One of Jamie Lee Curtis’s proudest collectibles is her Laurie Strode action figure, made by NECA Toys. Neve’s reaction to seeing it was so genuine, that HelloSidney.com took it upon itself to ask NECA for a Sidney Prescott figure.

The company’s response on Twitter?

“If that was possible, we would be honored to do that.”

Here’s hoping.

Scream Queens Who Hate Horror

Ironically, both actresses hate horror movies—despite being the most recognizable faces of the genre.

For Neve, the scariest movie she’s ever watched is The Changeling (1980).

Jamie Lee, on the other hand, had a traumatizing experience at 15 years old with The Exorcist (1973).

The fact that Curtis’s mother, Janet Leigh, was Psycho’s original Scream Queen only adds to the irony.

Kevin Williamson: The Man Behind the Final Girls

Kevin Williamson isn’t just a beloved figure in the horror world—he’s also a major reason Curtis and Campbell’s reign continues.

Jamie Lee Curtis, of course, was already the original Scream Queen—but Williamson’s Scream immortalized that title, giving it a name that stuck.

And when Halloween H20 hit theaters in 1998? It was Williamson who resurrected Laurie Strode, bringing her back as a battle-worn survivor, redefining the modern final girl.

“I wish Kevin Williamson was here,” Curtis said at one point. “To say, ‘How does it feel’ that 25 years later, or 40 years later in my case, two women are having a conversation about a character you created?”

The Last Time With Wes Craven

For Campbell, one of her final memories of Wes Craven remains incredibly special.

“Wes passed away. But my last experience with him was actually wonderful. He was in town and called. He had said that he was a fan of Elvis Costello, and we happened to have a friend who had tickets at the pool.”

She was able to get four tickets—for herself, her husband John Joseph Feild, Wes, and his wife Iya Labunka—and the four spent the evening together.

“We had this beautiful night, under the stars. And I had the opportunity to say how grateful I was. He knew he had cancer at the time, and it was super, super special.”

The Future of Scream

After Campbell’s emotional tribute to Craven, Curtis transitioned the conversation to the directors of Scream 5—Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

Neve admitted she was hesitant at first:

“So, I’ve been really apprehensive about doing another one (…) I sort of felt it would be too difficult to do it without Wes. He was the master of these films (…) But when time passed and these two directors came to me… they actually wrote me a letter. They said, basically, they were directors because of these films, and part of this was because of Wes Craven.”

Curtis and Campbell may be the reigning Scream Queens, but their work is far from done.

While Jamie Lee Curtis prepares for the release of Halloween Kills in 2021, Neve Campbell is gearing up to start filming her scenes for Scream 5.

Long live the legends.