10 More Great Movie Characters Who Die At The Beginning

10. Casey Becker - Scream

Though it referenced just about every iconic horror franchise throughout, Wes Craven's Scream launched what would ultimately join the likes of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Halloween on that list. A big part of this was the shocking opening scenes that included Drew Barrymore.

The star had been at the centre of Scream's marketing campaign, and her character Casey Becker was seemingly all set to be the film's main protagonist. However, just over 10 minutes in, Casey was killed by Ghostface.

In those fleeting moments before she was gutted and hanged, Casey left an impression that has lasted all these years later. During the iconic phone call that opened the movie, she was funny, she tried to fight back, and proved that although Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) was a strong protagonist in her own right, Casey easily could have carried the film herself.

Barrymore was actually initially cast as Sydney, but asked to portray Casey instead so as to immediately remove any notions the audience may have had over that character. If Drew Barrymore could be killed off in the first quarter of an hour, then who knew what else to expect? No one was safe.