The highly anticipated trailer for Scream 7 has landed, but instead of pure excitement, it's sparked renewed backlash from fans still furious about Melissa Barrera's controversial departure from the franchise.
Social media platforms are buzzing with outrage as viewers watch the new preview, with many declaring they're boycotting the sequel entirely in solidarity with Barrera, who played Sam Carpenter in the previous two films.
What Sparked the Original Controversy?
Barrera was dramatically fired from the horror series in November 2023 after Spyglass Media Group took issue with her social media posts concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict. The studio stated her comments had 'crossed the line into hate speech,' though many supporters argued she was simply advocating for Palestinian rights.
Fan Reactions: 'They Did Her Dirty'
The phrase 'done dirty' has become a rallying cry across Twitter and Instagram as fans express their disappointment. Many feel the actress, who became a central character in the franchise revival, was treated unfairly and that her absence will significantly impact the film's quality.
One fan tweeted: 'Watching the Scream 7 trailer just makes me angrier about how they treated Melissa. She WAS the new trilogy for me.'
Who's Returning and Who's New?
While Barrera is notably absent, the trailer confirms the return of several franchise favourites alongside new additions:
- Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott after sitting out Scream 6
- Courteney Cox reprises her role as Gale Weathers
- Kevin Williamson takes over directing duties
- New cast members include Gus Kenworthy and Anna Paquin
The trailer shows Ghostface delivering his signature chilling threats, with the iconic line 'What's your favourite scary movie?' making a haunting return.
The Boycott Movement Gains Momentum
Despite the excitement of seeing original cast members return, the boycott movement appears to be gaining strength. Many fans are using hashtags like #BoycottScream7 and #JusticeForMelissa to organise their protest, vowing the film's box office will suffer for what they perceive as unfair treatment of the actress.
As one Instagram commenter put it: 'You can't have Scream without its heart, and Melissa was that heart. Count me out.'
