Scream 7: Unraveling the Controversy Surrounding Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, and More
Discover the turmoil surrounding Scream 7! Uncover the shocking departures of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, while fans contemplate Neve Campbell's involvement Rumors of a complete rewrite add to the controversy Get the inside scoop now!
Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega's departure from Scream 7 has sparked major developments and controversies surrounding the upcoming horror movie sequel. Since the 1990s, Scream has been a beloved horror franchise known for its blend of gore, comedy, and meta-commentary, as well as its iconic villain, Ghostface.
Scream 6 was a major success, earning $169 million at the box office on a $35 million production budget and receiving a 91% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As a result, Scream 7 was greenlit earlier this year with a new director, Christopher Landon. However, the movie is now facing controversy - here's why.
Scream 7 controversy explained
From Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega no longer in the Scream 7 cast to an alleged rewrite, a lot’s been going on with the project this week.
Below, you can find a rundown of all of the controversies surrounding the horror movie.
Melissa Barrera gets fired from Scream 7
Sam Carpenter star Melissa Barrera was quietly removed from Scream 7 on November 21 due to her posts on the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a spokesperson for the film's studio, Spyglass. The decision has sparked significant backlash, with Barrera's social media posts on the conflict, which advocate for peace and support for those suffering, being widely shared online.
"Just woke up to the reality of what's been going on in Gaza and it's crucial to recognize: not all Palestinians are Hamas. And not all Jewish people are the Israeli Government," she tweeted.
"Rather than blaming or hating an entire group for the actions of some, I stand in solidarity with all those affected by the conflict. My prayers are for the freedom and peace of you and your loved ones."
Barrera also expressed frustration, stating, "It's incredibly disheartening to see many people, including much of the western media, working so hard to conflate Palestinian liberation with support for Hamas. They are not one and the same."
In response to the ongoing backlash over her termination, a representative from Spyglass provided the following statement to Variety: "Spyglass' position is unequivocal: We have absolutely no tolerance for antisemitism or any form of hate incitement, including false allusions to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or anything that clearly constitutes hate speech."
Director Christopher Landon also chimed in on the controversy, expressing in a now-deleted tweet: "This is my statement: Everything sucks. Stop shouting. This was not my call to make."
Fans are now urging a widespread boycott of Scream 7 and the entire franchise due to the firing of Melissa Barerra for her support of #Palestine and call to stop #genocide. One Twitter user stated, "Well done to her. #BoycottSCREAM7 the franchise movie & Boycott anything to do with @spyglassmediagr." Others have drawn comparisons to the treatment of other actors, with one person expressing frustration over the apparent double standard, saying, "It’s insane that Zionists like Noah Schnapp are free to say the most vile comments and face no repercussions. Meanwhile people like Melissa Barrera can get fired just for supporting Palestine. This hypocrisy is infuriating."
Barrera has recently spoken out about the controversy in an Instagram story posted on November 22. She expressed, "I denounce hatred and discrimination towards any group of individuals. Every individual, regardless of their faith, race, background, gender, sexual orientation, or economic standing, deserves equal rights, respect, and of course, freedom."
"I fervently pray day and night for an end to all loss of life, an end to all forms of violence, and for the promotion of peaceful co-existence." The star concluded the post with the powerful statement: "Silence is not an option for me."
Jenna Ortega departs Scream 7
Despite the calls for Jenna Ortega to stand in solidarity with her on-screen sister and leave Scream 7, it has been disclosed that the Wednesday star is not anticipated to reprise her role in the franchise. Sources informed Deadline that this decision is unrelated to Melissa Barrera's recent firing by Spyglass Media or her request to terminate her Scream contract.
During the actor’s strike, this plan was reportedly hatched, possibly due to Ortega’s involvement in the filming of Season 2 of Netflix’s Wednesday. Despite this, the news has gone viral on social media, causing many to speculate that Ortega is simply showing support for Barrera.
Fans revisit Neve Campbell dispute amid Scream 7 wishlist rumors
"Do you genuinely expect me to believe that Jenna walking less than 24 hours after Melissa's firing is a mere coincidence, especially considering the fact that she herself openly supports Palestine?" one person questioned, while another commented, "Such a fitting end to the Scream franchise, with Melissa Barrera dropping the Ghostface mask and Jenna Ortega walking away with it."
After the Barrera and Ortega news, insider sources revealed to Variety that producers are eager to bring back Neve Campbell, the iconic Sidney Prescott, for Scream 7. However, fans were quick to point out the past controversy between Campbell and the original horror franchise star. According to the report, "The Scream movies have a pool of characters who are still alive or could be revived... producers are excited to see her take on her iconic role as Sidney Prescott."
It’s also been reported that Patrick Dempsey is hoped to reprise his role as Mark Kincaid, last seen in Scream 3.
Paramount Pictures
Campbell departed from the franchise due to a disagreement over pay. In 2022, she announced that she would not be reprising her role as Sidney in Scream 6, stating that "the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise," according to Variety.
One Twitter user expressed support, saying, "Neve Campbell stood up to the studios and refused to appear in Scream 6 when they didn't compensate her appropriately for being the main character of the franchise. Melissa Barrera spoke out against the genocide in Gaza and is fired from Scream 7. Both of them deserve much better."
There are talks of a complete rewrite of Scream 7
Another individual remarked, "I heard they're planning to beg Neve Campbell to return by offering her a huge sum of money, but I really hope she tells them off and hangs up! #Scream7."
Scream 7 is facing a difficult situation with no lead stars and rumors of a boycott. Sources have suggested that the film may undergo a "full creative reboot," including a new script. A source mentioned in a report by Variety stated that Ortega and Barerra fulfilled their two-movie contract with Scream 5 and 6, leaving little for the seventh chapter to work with.
The writers of the previous two Scream movies, James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, are set to create a new draft for the upcoming installment. While some elements may be kept, the movie will introduce new protagonists. For further details, please refer to the article below.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the controversy surrounding Scream 7. On the one hand, I understand why Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega decided to leave the franchise. They are both talented actresses who deserve to be treated with respect. On the other hand, I am disappointed that their departure will likely impact the quality of the film.
I am also concerned about the alleged rewrite of the script. Scream 6 was a critical and commercial success, so I am not sure why the studio would want to change anything. I hope that the new director, Christopher Landon, will be able to maintain the spirit of the franchise while also bringing his own unique vision to the table.
Overall, I am cautiously optimistic about Scream 7. I hope that the studio will be able to resolve the controversy surrounding the film and that the final product will be a worthy addition to the franchise.
