SCREAM Star Melissa Barrera Thought Her Career Was Over After Being Fired From The Horror Franchise

SCREAM Star Melissa Barrera Thought Her Career Was Over After Being Fired From The Horror Franchise

Scream star Melissa Barrera has reflected on being fired from the horror franchise and reveals what it's been like receiving support from fans (which, unfortunately, becomes a reminder of darker times).

By JoshWilding - Nov 26, 2024 01:11 PM EST
Filed Under: Movies
Source: The Independent

Scream star Melissa Barrera was fired from the hit slasher franchise last year after sharing social media posts supporting Palestine in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. 

Those posts were deemed antisemitic by Spyglass, but the majority of the actor's fans disagreed. They quickly expressed their unhappiness with the decision and the original version of Scream 7 fell apart. 

Wednesday star Jenna Ortega also walked away from the movie, and while it's been widely reported that a pay dispute was the main issue, rumour has it she may have also left the movie as a means of showing solidarity with Barrera. 

Either way, without its two leads, it was clear Scream 7 couldn't be made in its current form. Ultimately, even director Christopher Landon exited the project, saying his decision came down to the fact that "it was a dream job that turned into a nightmare."

Talking to The Independent, Barrera admitted that "there were times where I felt like my life was over" following her very public firing and the potential "cancellation" that followed.

"It was quiet for, like, 10 months," she added. "I was still getting offers for small things here and there - I’m not going to lie and say there was nothing – but [the message] was, like, 'Oh, she probably doesn’t have work, she’ll say yes to anything.'"

Despite her time as Sam Carpenter, the daughter of Billy Loomis, coming to an abrupt end, Barrera says, "They gave me a lot in my career. I made really good friends. I have such loyal fans from those movies that are now watching the rest of the stuff that I do."

Noting that fans at conventions frequently bring up what happened, albeit in a sympathetic manner, the actor explains, "Or they’re like, 'What they did to you is so messed up, I’m so sorry that happened!' And it’s something, I think, that’s never going to end. Because the franchise is never going to end. So while I still have so much love for [those movies], the reminders of that very sour moment make it a little bit weird."

When all was said and done, Barrera wasn't cancelled and she's since managed to rebound with roles in Abigail, Your Monster, and the upcoming Copenhagen

"It felt like I had been invisible, and then all of a sudden, there was a switch that made me visible again," she added. "I feel better. I was stuck in the sand dunes for a while, and now I feel like my feet are moving, I have an oxygen tank, and I’m, like...going up."

While Barrera is busy moving on, Neve Campbell has officially announced her return as Sidney Prescott for Scream 7, with Isabel May set to play one of Sidney's daughters. Courteney Cox's return as Gale Weathers has also been confirmed. 

THE KEEP: Michael Mann's Flawed But Fascinating Nazi Horror Movie Is Finally Available On 4K UHD/Blu-Ray
Related:

THE KEEP: Michael Mann's Flawed But Fascinating Nazi Horror Movie Is Finally Available On 4K UHD/Blu-Ray

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER Star Sarah Michelle Gellar Teases Return For Legacy Sequel With New Set Photo
Recommended For You:

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER Star Sarah Michelle Gellar Teases Return For Legacy Sequel With New Set Photo

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, Fear HQ is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Fear HQ will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that Fear HQ, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Be the first to comment and get the conversation going!

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder