The Scream franchise received’t be the identical after Melissa Barrera‘s firing and Jenna Ortega‘s departure forward of the seventh movie.
Earlier than the stunning dismissal, Scream turned a horror staple spanning many years. The primary movie, which was launched in 1996, centered on Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she confronted off towards quite a few killers hiding their identification behind the Ghostface persona. The ultimate lady obtained assist from fellow OG Scream characters Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette), which led to the creation of three sequels in 1997, 2000 and 2011.
The franchise was revived practically a decade after Scream 4 was launched. This allowed Scream to usher in new protagonists Sam (Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Ortega). With the modifications got here stunning exits, akin to Campbell’s resolution to half methods with the franchise after filming the fifth installment as a result of failed wage negotiations.
The shakeups saved coming when information broke in November 2023 that Barrera being vocal about her help for Palestine amid battle within the Center East with Israel led to her being fired. That very same month, Deadline reported Ortega may even exit as a result of a conflicting filming schedule with Netflix’s Wednesday.
Preserve scrolling for every part to find out about Scream VII:
Who Is Returning?
Earlier than Barrera and Ortega’s departure, followers have been anticipating to see each reprise their roles. Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding are the remaining actors who make up the onscreen “Core Four” good friend dynamic and can presumably return as properly.
Since Sam’s boyfriend Danny (Tom Segarra) was left alive on the finish of Scream VI, there was an assumption that he would stay a part of the group. Segarra, for his half, confirmed that he had plans to play Danny in additional installments of Scream.
Scream VI additionally left the door open for legacy characters akin to Gale (Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) to make appearances sooner or later.
Which Solid Members Will Not Be Coming Again?
Campbell, who was an OG Scream star, didn’t play Sidney within the sixth movie. Regardless of outrage from devoted followers, it doesn’t seem that Campbell and the studio have been in a position to attain an understanding about her wage, so she presumably received’t be coming again in Scream VII both.
Barrera was the second stunning exit from the Scream franchise. After her firing made headlines, manufacturing firm Manufacturing firm Spyglass Media Group denied that Barrera’s pro-Palestine feedback brought about the choice.
“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,” learn their November 2023 assertion to Selection.
Ortega is not going to be returning as properly due to prior filming commitments.
What Inventive Shakeups Have Taken Place?
After Spyglass Media Group secured the rights to develop the fifth movie, Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin have been employed as administrators on the mission. The duo returned for Scream VI, however the subsequent installment was set to be helmed by Christopher Landon, who is understood for his involvement with Pleased Demise Day and Freaky. Nonetheless, Landon introduced in late December 2023 that he has left the mission.
“I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago,” Landon shared by way of X (previously often known as Twitter). “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 [Anderson’s] legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin [Williamson] created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”
The place Did the Story Depart Off?
Scream VI centered on Sam’s frame of mind as she wrestled with the revelation that she is the daughter of the primary Ghostface killer, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). Reddit trolls began to theorize that Sam was the individual murdering her family members due to her father’s murderous previous. Sam was capable of finding a approach to come to phrases together with her dad being a killer whereas refusing to go down the identical path.
In the meantime, Sam’s sister, Tara, tried to go away the previous behind after their transfer to New York Metropolis. By the top of the sixth movie, Tara discovered love together with her good friend Chad (Gooding).
Which Fan Theories Might Be Addressed?
The favored fan principle that one of many authentic Ghostface killers Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) wasn’t really lifeless has been introduced up many instances for the reason that franchise was revived. Lillard has enthusiastically supported the thought of him coming again in some capability, and Scream VI saved that possibility open.
What Does Melissa Barrera’s Exit Imply for Sam?
Earlier than her firing, Barrera mentioned the place she want to see Sam’s story go.
“That’s one of the reasons that, when I read the script for Scream 5, I was so interested in the character. There’s so much potential here of where she could go with her mental health — she’s just unpredictable,” the actress informed Digital Spy in June 2023. “I find that that darkness in her makes her that much more interesting to play and to watch.”
Barrera continued: “She’s the hero but she’s also kind of the villain. It’s this contradiction in her that I find fascinating and, if we get to do another one, I would love to see. The writers have done a really good job with her up until this point, so I trust them just to know where to take her [in a way] that will be unexpected and cool for the fans.”