Director Christopher Landon has revealed on Twitter that he formally exited the Scream VII project weeks ago.
The filmmaker said, “I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago. This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on. I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”
Previously, Melissa Barrera (the star of Scream (2022) and Scream VI) was fired from upcoming Scream VII (also known as Scream 7) due to social media comments she made about the current Israeli-Hamas Gaza-based conflict. On Instagram, the actress wrote:
“Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp. she wrote in one post on Instagram stories. 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.”
A spokesperson for Spyglass Media Group, the company that produces the Scream franchise, issued a statement explaining their decision to drop Barrera: “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.”
The Hollywood Reporter added: “Filming had not begun, and development had been slow amid the actors and writers strikes. Now, Spyglass is expected to recalibrate plans following Barrera’s firing.”
Melissa Barrera’s character Sam Carpenter has been the focus for the rebooted franchise as she’s the daughter of original Scream killer Billy Loomis. Fans naturally expected Barerra to return for Scream VII alongside the other three key characters played by Mason Gooding, Jasmine Savoy Brown and Jenna Ortega. However, the latter’s involvement in the new slasher is also apparently under consideration. Fans of the franchise are now perplexed as to how it can proceed without its two main stars. Meanwhile, the hashtags #JusticeForMelissaBarrera and #BoycottScream7 have been launched by some Scream fans.
Update:
Deadline has confirmed that Jenna Ortega will also not be in Scream VII which is now looking more like a dead duck project: “We understand that Ortega’s exit from the next Scream was discussed before the actors strike. A script for Scream VII is not ready yet, and the Primetime Emmy nominee has to head to Ireland in April to shoot the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday which will go into the summer. Additionally, Beetlejuice post SAG-AFTRA strike had a few extra days of shooting in order to meet its Labor Day 2024 theatrical release.”
The franchise is no stranger to controversy after the original star Neve Campbell had to step away following a pay dispute with Spyglass and distributors Paramount, with many of her co-stars allegedly supporting her decision.
“I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise,” Campbell said. “It’s been a very difficult decision to move on.”
Meanwhile, Christopher Landon (Freaky; Happy Death Day) is still on board as the director with Scream and Scream VI helmers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (otherwise known as Radio Silence) jumping ship as helmers but returning as executive producers, alongside Chad Villella.
Yesterday, Christopher Landon tweeted: “This is my statement: 💔 Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.”
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