Melissa Barrera Dropped From ‘Scream VII’ After Social Media Posts Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict : r/boxoffice
Melissa Barrera, lead actress of ‘Scream’ (2022) and ‘Scream VI’ (2023), has been removed from the cast of ‘Scream VII’ due to her social media posts concerning the Israel-Hamas War. Barrera’s posts on Instagram accused Israel of treating Gaza like a concentration camp, triggering Spyglass, the company producing the film, to sever ties. Spyglass emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism and hate speech.
Barrera, integral to the success of the franchise’s recent installments, played the lead role in ‘Scream,’ contributing to its $137.7 million global earnings, and also starred in ‘Scream VI,’ which grossed over $168.9 million globally. Director Christopher Landon is now helming ‘Scream VII,’ with Spyglass expected to adjust plans post-Barrera’s departure. Paramount, responsible for distributing previous films, is likely to continue distribution for the new installment.
The article notes Barrera’s extensive social media commentary on the war since Hamas invaded Israel in October. Filming for ‘Scream VII’ had not commenced, and development faced delays due to strikes by actors and writers. The abrupt firing of Barrera further complicates the project. Meanwhile, actor Susan Sarandon faced professional consequences for pro-Palestinian comments made at a rally in New York City.
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