Horror movie aficionados won’t be able to watch the highly anticipated 2026 film “Scream 7” without addressing the controversy that has been circulating around it. Spyglass Entertainment has faced some heavy criticism after their decision in 2023 to fire Melissa Barrera, the lead character for Scream 5 & 6 after she showed her support for Palestine. Supporting lead actress Jenna Ortega and director Christopher Landson left the production team shortly after this major change. The original writer of the first Scream movie is now the director and he recast major original characters in the newly reworked script for the 2026 release. Is creating a way for legendary characters to make a reprisal, a plea for previous loyal fans to come back, or merely a distraction to make forgetful people do what they do best?
There is no avoiding the threatening topic that Palestinians face in Gaza. It has come to the point where if you try to avoid the conversation, then the silence is more thunderous than what could ever be spoken. The public often tries to hold celebrities accountable for staying silent. However, the companies that fund the productions that give these actors their careers would prefer if their employees kept their opinions to themselves. This is what happened when Melissa Barrera decided to speak about the inhumanity that innocent citizens of Gaza are still dealing with to this day.
Spyglass Media Group, the company that currently has rights over Scream films, has stated publicly that it has zero tolerance for hate speech of any kind. This ultimately led to the company’s decision to let Melissa Barrera go from the upcoming film. In case you never had an opportunity to view Barrera’s statement about the news and the reason why she was not returning to the film franchise,
She felt that her posts shouldn’t have been interpreted as controversial because, in her eyes and the eyes of many others, she was simply advocating for human rights. Barrera’s need to show her support by calling for a ceasefire was for the Palestinian civilians’ sake. Ending the violence indefinitely is only for the beneficial aspects each party would have, like no more deaths of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
There was speculation that Jenna Ortega, Barrera’s on-screen sister in Scream, quit the film after Melissa was fired. Ortega never specifically stated that was the reason why she left. However, in a recent interview with The Cut, she disclosed why she didn’t return to the franchise’s next installment. She stated, “If ‘Scream VII’ wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me in my career at the time.”
The only person who quit because of the controversy was the original director of Scream 7, Christopher Landon. After landing the job as the new director of Scream, he was living an all-time dream that quickly escalated into a nightmare. Many fans blamed him for removing Barrera, which led him to his breaking point. He stated on the social media platform X, “Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.” Further confirming the decision was solely made by Spyglass Entertainment.
The movie’s new director is no stranger to the Scream franchise. In fact, he is the one who wrote and created the screenplay that started the Ghostface legacy, Kevin Williamson. Taking it one step closer for this next franchise edition to return to its roots. It also is being released on the 30th anniversary of the original 1996 “Scream” premiered. The film had to move its script in a new direction since its two lead actors and director were no longer viable options for this movie. Barrera’s and Ortega’s characters are no longer the focal point of the production. This led the new script down the route of reviving some past characters from the original trilogy.
The recasting of these characters includes iconic killers and final girls from throughout the early moments of this franchise. Neve Campbell as Syndey Prescott and Courtney Cox as Gale Weathers are set to reprise their roles in the 2026 release. As well as a spine-chilling return of legendary Ghostfaces from the past, Matthew Lillard as Stu Macher and Scott Foley as Roman Bridger. Whether or not their characters lived from their original movies or if they are being used differently for the story is currently unclear. Some may see this as a plea to upset fans currently feuding with the franchise to come back on board with the new production. A manager of mine and a horror movie super fan, like myself, had let me know recasting Lillard was enough reason for him to watch the movie.
Ultimately, Spyglass Entertainment was the company that green-lit the decision to fire Melissa Barrera. Spyglass is responsible for many other productions other than the Scream Franchise, like horror films Thanksgiving (2023) and Heart Eyes (2025). Yet, the fanbase’s disappointed outcry about Barrera’s removal isn’t discussed when any other films from this entertainment company are in the limelight.
Where does ethics fall into all of this? If people only hold one production from Spyglass’ many movies accountable as a consequence, is it enough to hold them accountable? What are we exactly holding them accountable for and is it too much? If you support the actors cast in the film, how do you show your support for their work? If you’re a supporter of Palestine, does watching the new movie land you in a spot of hypocrisy? A friend of mine, who I presented my research to, said: “I don’t think it’s a fair assumption that seeing this movie means you are Anti-Palestine.” Feel free to sound off in the comments below, and let me know how you feel and why.
