No Jenna Ortega. Melissa Barrera fired. What's going on with 'Scream 7?'
Eammon Jacobs
- Melissa Barrera was fired from "Scream 7" after making comments about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
- It was then reported that Jenna Ortega won't return due to scheduling conflicts with "Wednesday."
"Scream 7" is already picking off cast members, and Ghostface hasn't even grabbed his knife yet.
Since Monday, reports have emerged that one of the franchise's lead actors, Melissa Barrera, has been fired from the sequel, while costar Jenna Ortega has dropped out.
Barrera played Sam Carpenter, the daughter of the original Ghostface, Billy Loomis, in 2022's "Scream" (technically, "Scream 5") and its sequel, "Scream 6." Ortega played her sister, Tara.
Here's a complete rundown of the controversy surrounding "Scream 7."
Melissa Barrera was fired from "Scream 7" over her comments about the Israel-Gaza conflict, Variety reported.
Melissa Barrera has been vocal on social media about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
In one Instagram story shared in October, Barrera wrote: "I too come from a colonized country. Palestine WILL be free. 'They tried to bury us, they didn't know we were seeds.'"
The Hollywood Reporter said that in another post, Barrera wrote: "Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp. Cornering everyone together, with no where to go, no electricity no water … People have learnt nothing from our histories. And just like our histories, people are still silently watching it all happen. THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING."
On Tuesday, Variety reported that "Scream" production company Spyglass Media Group had "quietly dropped" Barrera from the next movie as a result of her social media activity.
In a statement, a Spyglass spokesperson told Variety: "Spyglass' stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech."
"Scream 7" director Christopher Landon appeared to weigh in on Barrera's firing.
Amid social media criticism over Barrera's firing, "Scream 7" director Christopher Landon appeared to respond to messages directed at him.
In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: "This is my statement: Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make."
The post has since been deleted,
Landon, best known for directing "Happy Death Day," is due to take over directing duties from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who directed the previous two "Scream" movies.
It was then reported that Jenna Ortega won't be in "Scream 7" because of "Wednesday" season two.
On Wednesday, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety separately reported that Ortega had dropped out of starring in "Scream 7,"
Variety reported Ortega won't take part due to scheduling conflicts with the second season of Netflix's huge hit "Wednesday."
The timing of the news resulted in some social media speculation that Ortega dropped out in solidarity with Barrera.
A representative for Ortega did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
Following her firing, Barrera said that "silence is not an option for me."
After the news of her firing circulated online, Barrera shared an Instagram story on Wednesday defending her recent social media activity.
"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," she wrote.
Barrera added: "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."
"Silence is not an option for me," Barrera concluded her post.
Producers are now hoping to lure back original "Scream" star Neve Campbell, per a report.
On Wednesday, Variety reported that Spyglass is working on a new direction for "Scream 7," and that producers hope to bring back the franchise's original lead actor, Neve Campbell.
Campbell played Sidney Prescott in five "Scream" movies but turned down "Scream 6" over a pay dispute.
Per Variety, Spyglass is also interested in bringing back "Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey. Dempsey played Detective Mark Kincaid in "Scream 3."
In "Scream 5," it is implied that Sidney and Mark are in a relationship and have children.
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