Melissa Barrera Speaks On A Potential 'Scream' Return After Getting Fired

Following her firing from 'Scream', Melissa Barrera is speaking out, revealing if there is a potential 'Scream' return. She is also addressing how the firing has changed her life.

In the newest 'Scream' films, Barrera portrays one of the main characters, Samantha Carpenter, however, she was fired from her role as the production company announced she would not return for the upcoming movie.

The firing came after Barrera posted about the Israel-Hamas war on her Instagram page.

In late November 2023, the actress shared several posts about the Israel-Hamas war, one of which read: “Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp. Cornering everyone together, with nowhere to go, no electricity no water … THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.”

Another read: “We come together as artists and advocates, but most importantly as human beings witnessing the devastating loss of lives and unfolding horrors in Palestine and Israel.”

The post continued: “Please join us in demanding that Congress, @POTUS, and other world leaders call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost. We must end the bombing of Gaza, secure the safe release of all hostages, and demand adequate access for humanitarian aid to reach the people that desperately need it.”

After the posts, Spyglass, the company behind the seventh ‘Scream’ movie, characterized her posts as antisemitic. 

“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,” the company wrote in a statement.

Following her firing, Barrera stated that she condemns “hate and prejudice of any kind” and will continue to “lend my voice to those in need.”

“As a Latina, a proud Mexicana, I feel the responsibility of having a platform that allows me the privilege of being heard, and therefore I have tried to use it to raise awareness about issues I care about and to lend my voice to those in need," she said in a social media post. "Every person on this earth- regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status- deserves equal human rights, dignity, and, of course, freedom."

Despite being fired from the franchise, Barrera says a potential return to 'Scream' is still on the table, however, she doesn't think the odds are that great. “I’ve learned to never say never, but also a lot of things would have to happen for Sam to come back,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “For now, next page, next chapter, and then we’ll see what the future holds.”

“It takes a long time for things to change, and there’s resistance, but I definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel,” she added.

The star previously spoke to The Associated Pressat the Sundance Film Festival, claiming, “Honestly, I think I finally am becoming who I’m supposed to be in life, and the last few months have been a big awakening of that. I’m just so grateful for everything that’s happened.”

While she won't be playing Jenna Ortega's sister on screen, the two remain close off-screen.

"We chatted for a while, and I love her so much," the actress said of Ortega, "She’s been very supportive of me, and we’re sisters for life.”

Jenna Ortega also won't be returning for the seventh film, as she has a filming conflict with her Netflix show, ‘Wednesday’. Director Christopher Landon also dropped out of the project.

Following a contract dispute, Neve Campbell, who portrays Sydney Prescott in the 'Scream' franchise, said she wouldn't be returning to the seventh film. However, that has since changed as she took to social media earlier this year, announcing “Sidney Prescott is coming back!!!!” 

“It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the ‘Scream’ movies," she added. "My appreciation for these films and for what they have meant to me has never waned.”

There have been no details regarding Campbell’s new contract.