Matthew Lillard has stated he feels conflicted about his participation in Scream 7, citing the circumstances surrounding actress Melissa Barrera’s departure from the project. During a recent Q&A session shared on social media, Lillard discussed Barrera’s removal from the film and his own decision to continue with the production.
Barrera was dropped from the slasher franchise in November 2023 after expressing support for Palestine on social media following Hamas’s invasion of Israel the previous month. Spyglass Media Group, which produces the Scream franchise, released a statement at that time citing zero tolerance for antisemitism and hate speech, including what it characterized as false references to genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Lillard indicated that he was initially enthusiastic about reprising his role as Stu Macher in the seventh installment, having previously appeared in the original 1996 film and its 1997 sequel. However, he acknowledged that he did not fully consider the broader implications of Barrera’s situation at the time he committed to the project. The actor expressed regret about his decision, stating he did not vocally oppose her removal and that he later “got called out” for continuing with the production.
Lillard used the Q&A to discuss his perspective on activism and social issues, referencing his family circumstances as motivation for speaking out on matters he considers important. He suggested that Barrera had taken a principled stance and expressed frustration that broader public support did not materialize for her position.
Barrera’s departure from Scream 7 prompted additional changes to the project. Actress Jenna Ortega and director Christopher Landon both exited the film, while Neve Campbell was brought back to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott. The seventh Scream installment was released in February.
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