Melissa Barrera didn’t hold back while addressing how several Scream stars returned to film the most recent installment in the wake of her controversial firing.
During an interview with Variety, which was published on Wednesday, May 7, Barrera, 35, was asked whether she thought her former costars were “crossing the picket line” by returning to the franchise that dropped her.
“Oh, one hundred percent,” she replied. “I think they all are. And they have to live with that.”
Barrera continued: “The only way they were able to make that movie after what happened was to nostalgia-bait as much as possible.”
‘Scream’ Cast: Where Are They Now?
Before filming began on Scream 7, news broke in November 2023 that Barrera was fired following her support for Palestine. The production company behind the newest batch of Scream films, Spyglass Media Group, subsequently denied that Barrera’s pro-Palestine comments were what caused her exit.
Barrera later broke her silence about no longer playing Sam Carpenter.
“First and foremost I condemn Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people,” she wrote via her Instagram Story in November 2023, noting she felt a “responsibility” to speak out. “As a Latina, a proud Mexicana, I feel the responsibility of having a platform that allows me the privilege of being heard, and therefore I have tried to use it to raise awareness about issues I care about and to lend my voice to those in need. Every person on this earth — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic status — deserves equal human rights, dignity and, of course, freedom.”
Jenna Ortega also didn’t return in the role of Tara Carpenter. Director Christopher Landon, who was set to succeed Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, later pulled out as well.
Kevin Williamson, who was involved with the original Scream, subsequently returned to direct the horror franchise for the first time. Neve Campbell came back after previously sitting out the sixth movie due to failed salary negotiations with the studio. (Williamson wrote the original film as well as sequels Scream 2 and Scream 4.)
“Hi All. I’m so excited to announce this news!!! Sidney Prescott is coming back!!!!” Campbell, 52, wrote via Instagram in March 2024. “It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the Scream movies. My appreciation for these films and for what they have meant to me, has never waned. I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! Well actually I could.”
Scream’s All-Star Cast Through the Years
Campbell offered some information about the creative team behind the seventh movie, adding, “While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct Scream 7! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world.”
She concluded: “Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years. To the amazing Scream fans, I hope you are as excited as I am. See you on set @kevwilliamson.”
Scream 7, which was released in February, received mixed reviews from critics but reportedly found success at the box office.
“I think they lied about the numbers,” Barrera told Variety. “I don’t think it made that much money. … People who love me from those movies are coming to see [my new Broadway] show, and they can’t ever take that away from me.”
