The Unconventional Way Courteney Cox Secured Her Role in 'Scream'

She took a rather drastic measure to convince Wes Craven to cast her.

Courteney Cox plays a fan-favorite in the slasher series Scream, but we almost came to know an entirely different Gale Weathers.

The Friends actress opened up a little bit about her casting process for the cult classic horror films in a new interview with Variety, revealing the rather extreme measure she had to take to ensure her role as the would-be final original resident of Woodsboro, as director Wes Craven wasn't convinced she had what it takes to play the sassy and brassy reporter.

Prior to landing Scream, two years into her turn as Monica on Friends, Cox was mostly "known as the girl next door and sweet," nothing like the "ruthless" Weathers. "I had to talk to Wes Craven and write him a letter and say, ‘I know that you don’t think of me as this person, but trust me, I really can be an absolute bitch,’” she shared. “It was over the top in the perfect way."

Without getting too spoilery, Cox also touched on the film's plot, especially in light of Neve Campbell's decision not to return after the film refused to pay her what she felt she was worth.

“I missed working with her," Cox said of the OG final girl, "but I’m going to support whatever she feels is right.” She went on to tease one of her scenes with Ghostface, the ever-present villain of the series. "I’ve obviously been stabbed many times and all that, but this time, to work with Ghostface and not know who’s under the mask, it was really fun. Usually, by the time I’m getting stabbed, I know who it is.”

Beyond that, Cox was only willing to share the basics about Weathers' whereabouts. “She still lives in New York, which is great because now the killer’s in New York, just as Sam and Tara have moved there. It kind of fell right into her lap...Kirby comes—Hayden Panettiere. It’s so interesting how people came back. I have to remember. I thought she died!" she admitted. "I get so confused."

Ultimately, she's just excited to have been a part of something for so long, especially something that makes her care.

“I was excited, I was scared," she said of the cut she recently got to preview. "Even if I know every single person and what’s gonna happen and why and when, I won’t look. It’s so realistic. And I laughed! I cared.”

Scream 6 hits theaters on March 10, 2023.