Protesters Demonstrate at ‘Scream 7’ Premiere Following Melissa Barrera’s Firing
Roughly two dozen protesters gathered outside the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles on Wednesday night during the premiere of Scream 7, calling for a boycott of the film in response to the firing of former franchise star Melissa Barrera.
An estimated 25 demonstrators positioned themselves near the entrance to the lot, carrying Palestinian flags and using drums and bullhorns to amplify their message. Chants included “Stand for free speech” and “Cancel Paramount+,” alongside calls for solidarity with Palestine. The protest remained outside studio grounds as guests arrived for the red-carpet event.
The demonstration stems from the November 2023 dismissal of Barrera from the Scream franchise. Barrera, who starred in 2022’s reboot and its 2023 sequel Scream VI, was removed from the seventh installment after posting commentary on social media about the Israel-Gaza war. In her posts, Barrera criticized Israel and described its military actions as “genocide and ethnic cleansing.” She also shared an article from Jewish Currents discussing the political use of Holocaust rhetoric.
Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the franchise, announced her firing shortly thereafter. In a statement at the time, a spokesperson said the company maintains “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.”
Barrera’s removal triggered immediate backlash online and within parts of the fan community. Supporters argued that she was being penalized for expressing political views, while critics maintained that her language crossed a line. The controversy reshaped the trajectory of Scream 7.
Shortly after Barrera’s exit, co-star Jenna Ortega also departed the project, officially citing scheduling conflicts. Director Christopher Landon then left the film as well, later revealing he had received death threats in the aftermath of the controversy despite not being responsible for the casting decision. The departures led to a rewrite of the script and a creative reset.
Neve Campbell, who had stepped away from Scream VI due to a salary dispute, returned to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott. Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original 1996 Scream, took over directing duties for the new installment.
Speaking to Variety at the premiere, Williamson acknowledged the protestors outside the venue. “We live in a world where a lot of bad things are happening out there, and I think a lot of people want to be heard and they want to have their voice heard about the bad stuff that’s happening,” he said. “My heart goes out to them. I don’t know if canceling Paramount+ is the way to do it. But I think people should listen to their inner self and do what feels good for them.”
Scream 7, which opens nationwide Friday, follows Sidney Prescott as she attempts to build a quiet life away from Woodsboro with her daughter. The film brings back several original cast members, including Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and Matthew Lillard, alongside returning and new additions such as Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Isabel May, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, and McKenna Grace.
