Melissa Barrera says she would not return to “Scream” while Spyglass Media Group holds the rights, even if the company apologized. She could consider playing Sam Carpenter again if ownership passed to people she believes would honor Wes Craven’s legacy.
Spyglass removed Barrera from “Scream 7” in November 2023 after her social media posts about Palestinians and the Israel-Hamas war. The company said it had “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate”; Barrera rejected its characterization of her posts and said Spyglass leadership labeled her as something she was not and never apologized.
After Barrera’s exit, Jenna Ortega did not return as Tara, and director Christopher Landon left the project. Landon later said the version he had agreed to direct centered on Sam. The film, released in February 2026, focused on Sidney Prescott, with Neve Campbell returning and original “Scream” screenwriter Kevin Williamson directing; Sam and Tara were absent.
