The Unexpected Twist in the Fate of 'Scream VII' following Melissa Barrera's Surprising Departure
Unveiling the suspenseful future of 'Scream VII,' brace yourself for the unexpected as Melissa Barrera's shocking firing throws the anticipated battle with Ghostface into disarray Discover returning cast members, creative shakeups, intriguing fan theories, and the implications of Barrera's exit on Sam's character Don't miss out on the Deal of the Day!
After Melissa Barrera‘s dismissal ahead of the seventh film, the Scream franchise is set to undergo a major change. Prior to the unexpected firing, Scream had become a horror classic over the span of several decades. In 1996, the first film introduced Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she confronted multiple unknown killers posing as Ghostface. The "final girl" was aided by original Scream characters Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette), leading to the release of three sequels in 1997, 2000, and 2011.
Almost a decade after the release of Scream 4, the franchise was revived, introducing new protagonists Sam (Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega). However, with the changes came unexpected departures, including Campbell's decision to leave the franchise after filming the fifth installment due to failed salary negotiations. The shakeups continued when Barrera was fired in November 2023 for speaking out in support of Palestine during the conflict with Israel in the Middle East.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Scream VII:
Who Is Returning?
Philippe Bossé
Prior to Barrera's exit, fans were eagerly anticipating her return to reprise her role alongside Ortega. Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding, the remaining members of the onscreen "Core Four" friend group, are also expected to make a comeback.
After surviving Scream VI, Sam’s boyfriend Danny (portrayed by Tom Segarra) was expected to continue to be involved in the group's story. Segarra himself expressed his intention to reprise his role as Danny in future Scream installments.
The conclusion of Scream VI also hinted at the potential return of legacy characters like Gale (Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) in upcoming films.
Which Cast Members Will Not Be Coming Back?
Neve Campbell will not be reprising her role as Sidney in ‘Scream 7’ due to salary disagreements with the studio, disappointing devoted fans.
Barrera's departure from the Scream franchise was the second surprising exit. Despite reports claiming that her firing was due to her pro-Palestine comments, the production company Spyglass Media Group firmly denied any connection. In a statement to Variety in November 2023, Spyglass made it clear that they have no tolerance for antisemitism or any form of hate speech.
What Creative Shakeups Have Taken Place?
Following the acquisition of the rights to produce the fifth film, Spyglass Media Group enlisted Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin as the project's directors. The duo also signed on for Scream VI, while the upcoming installment will be led by Christopher Landon, acclaimed for his work on Happy Death Day and Freaky.
Where Did the Story Leave Off?
Philippe Bossé
"Scream VI delves deep into Sam's internal struggle as she comes to grips with the shocking truth that she is the daughter of the notorious Ghostface killer, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). Online speculation and rumors suggest that Sam may be following in her father's footsteps by committing the murders of her own loved ones. Despite this, Sam ultimately finds a way to reconcile her father's dark legacy while staunchly refusing to succumb to the same fate.
Meanwhile, Sam's sister, Tara, seeks to leave their troubled history behind as they start anew in New York City. By the film's conclusion, Tara discovers unexpected love with her friend Chad (Gooding)."
Which Fan Theories Could Be Addressed?
The enduring fan speculation about the possible survival of Stu Macher, one of the original Ghostface killers portrayed by Matthew Lillard, has persisted throughout the resurgence of the franchise. Lillard himself has shown keen interest in the concept of his character making a return in some form, and Scream VI has deliberately left that possibility open.
What Does Melissa Barrera’s Exit Mean for Sam?
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Before her firing, Barrera discussed where she would like to see Sam’s story go.
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"I was really drawn to the character when I read the script for Scream 5. There's a lot of potential for her mental health journey - she's just so unpredictable," the actress shared with Digital Spy in June 2023. "I think her darkness makes her even more compelling to portray and watch."
Barrera added, "She's the hero, but also kind of the villain. It's this contradiction in her that I find fascinating. If we get to do another one, I would love to see how the writers further develop her in a way that will be unexpected and cool for the fans."
