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The world premiere of Scream 7 was interrupted by activists gathered outside the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, protesting the film’s controversial firing of Melissa Barrera over Instagram posts that were deemed antisemitic by the film’s production company.
As the cast of the slasher franchise’s new movie walked the red carpet Wednesday, a very different scene was unfolding outside the venue. A group of protesters walked the studio lot’s sidewalks shouting pro-Palestine chants, banging on drums and holding signs.
“Paramount has a BLACKLIST of actors who criticize Israel,” one sign read, while another urged fans to: “Cancel Paramount+.”
The Independent has contacted Paramount for comment.
The boycott was led by Entertainment Labor for Palestine, CODEPINK LA, Musicians for Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles, according to Deadline. Many also vocalized their support of Barrera, 35, who later appeared to respond, “I see you,” with a red heart emoji on her Instagram Story.
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Melissa Barrera, who starred in 2022’s ‘Scream’ and 2023’s ‘Scream 6,’ was expected to reprise her role of Samantha in the new sequel before her firing (Getty Images for Paramount Pictu)
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Barrera was fired from ‘Scream 7’ over Instagram posts that were deemed antisemitic by the film’s production company (Getty Images)
When asked about the protests at the premiere, director Kevin Williamson told The Hollywood Reporter: “I saw them and my heart just sort of stopped. Look, we live in America. Everyone has a right to protest and everyone should be heard. And if you have your truth and if you want to stand up and be heard, you protest. That is your right in this country, and I stand by it. I support that 100 percent.”
Barrera previously starred as Samantha Carpenter in the iconic horror franchise’s 2022 reboot Scream and its sequel Scream 6. She was expected to reprise her role in the latest iteration, but was dropped from the cast in 2023 due to a series of Instagram posts she made about the Israel-Hamas war.
“Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp,” the In the Heights star wrote in one post.
“Cornering everyone together, with nowhere 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.”
Paramount partnered with Spyglass Media Group as a co-producer on Scream (2022), Scream VI (2023), and Scream 7. A spokesperson for Spyglass told The Independent in a statement at the time of Barrera’s firing: “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.”
Barrera’s removal led to a tumultuous period for the film, as co-star Jenna Ortega soon pulled out of her role as Tara Carpenter — the younger sister of Samantha — with director Christopher Landon following suit.
“I made my decision to walk away about a week after they fired her,” Landon said in an interview with author Ashley Cullins. “There was no movie anymore. The whole script was about her. I didn’t sign on to make ‘a Scream movie.’ I signed on to make that movie. When that movie no longer existed, I moved on.”
Williamson later stepped in to helm Scream 7, which required a major script overhaul that cost roughly $500,000, per Variety. The franchise’s original star, Neve Campbell, then boarded the film alongside returning cast members Matthew Lillard, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding. Mckenna Grace, Anna Camp and Isabel May are among several new cast members joining the franchise.
Scream 7 is out in theaters Friday.
