Looking back, it's intriguing to many fans of Drew Barrymore that she was actually in the film 'Scream.' The actress has admitted she's absolutely terrified of horror films, so even though 'Scream' made something of a mockery of those types of movies (it was horror/satire to be sure), there were no doubt plenty of creepy moments on set.
Yet the film (and its sequels) has gone down in history as one of the most epic of its era. The thing is, given Drew Barrymore's star power even then, fans were confused as to why her character was killed off so early on in the movie.
Who Was Drew Barrymore In 'Scream'?
Drew Barrymore played Casey Becker in 1996's 'Scream,' and her character is central to the storyline as she's in the opening scene and the first victim of the then-anonymous killer. The role might've been shortlived (pun intended), but Drew recently revived the Casey Becker for a Halloween costume, and fans clearly haven't forgotten about the franchise.
In fact, the "surviving" cast members are set to return for the fifth installment soon, though the movie has already been delayed to due pandemic regulations. Drew, of course, won't be returning, at least, not as Casey Becker. The fact that her role was one that ended with the first movie might have been a bit of a bummer for the actress; sequels can pay the bills, after all.
Fortunately for Drew, she was plenty busy both in the years leading up to and those following 'Scream,' but why exactly didn't she sign on for the long haul?
Was Drew Barrymore Supposed To Be The Lead?
Although 'Scream' was filmed in 1996, Drew Barrymore was already a big enough star that she was offered multiple roles in multiple films that same year. Barrymore had already appeared in 'Batman Forever,' 'Poison Ivy,' various TV shows, and of course, the '80s film 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.'
So why was Drew given a very minor role that would mean she couldn't continue in the 'Scream' franchise? It turns out she chose the gig.
Years ago, in an interview, Drew Barrymore reflected on 'Scream' and explained why she chose to be Casey rather than any other character -- including the lead. In fact, the role of Sidney, which went to Neve Campbell, was at first offered to Drew. Barrymore declined, however, because she hated the trope of the main character "slugging through" but winding up living in the end.
To avoid that pattern repeating in the horror film she would appear in, Drew decided she could take a minor role that would flip the script. When people saw Drew's name and likeness on movie posters, they might assume she would be the hero in the end, but not so.
Why Did Casey Becker Die In The Opening Scene?
In true horror film fashion, a twist meant that twelve minutes into the movie, Casey Becker was already nixed, and Neve would carry the film as Sidney. Of course, the director, Wes Craven, was totally fine with that. Unsurprising, really, as Craven was one of few creatives that the movie's primary producer (the lesser-hated Weinstein brother) thought could handle the theme successfully.
The death of the opening character served other purposes, too; when reading the script, various contributors thought there needed to be more deaths, given the nature of the film. Casey's brutal end helped propel the plot, served Drew's desire for an out-of-the-box horror flick, and Drew's involvement in the film in the first place helped draw people in.
In fact, Cinema Blend pointed out how heavily the film's promotional materials featured Drew's face. So not only did the movie itself have a major plot twist at the end, it started out with one, too. That formula was a major success, even if Drew didn't participate in the sequels, and set off a whole chain of films that continue to delight viewers. In fact, fans have even called 'Scream' the "perfect" horror movie.
Though many fans were likely disappointed that Drew Barrymore didn't play a larger part in the movie, the end result -- and Drew's creative input -- likely stifled any complaints. The movie was well-executed, and Drew went on in the next few years to complete tons of other hits like 'The Wedding Singer,' 'Never Been Kissed,' 'Charlie's Angels,' and '50 First Dates.'
While many fans were bummed that Drew didn't continue on her horror flick path, she did find a home in rom-coms, and has occasionally sampled other genres as well, something that helped cement her as a staple in Hollywood, despite her character's early demise in the biggest horror flick of the era.