Scream Star Matthew Lillard Regrets Returning to Franchise After Melissa Barrera's Firing

Matthew Lillard, who reprised his role as Stu Macher in the latest "Scream" installment, "Scream 7," has expressed regret over his decision to return to the franchise following the dismissal of actress Melissa Barrera. Barrera was fired from the film in November 2023 by production company Spyglass after posting social media content critical of Israel and supportive of Palestinians, which the company deemed antisemitic and inciting hatred.

During a Q&A session following a special screening celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original "Scream," Lillard stated that he felt "bad" and "ashamed" about his decision to rejoin "Scream 7." He admitted that in his excitement to return, he did not fully consider Barrera's situation and her subsequent journey, stating, "I messed up. I am on the wrong side of history with this." He added that he felt the world should have supported Barrera, saying, "The whole world should have stood up and said, 'She's right.' And they didn't. And that's cruel."

Lillard used Barrera's situation as an example of the potential consequences actors face for expressing political views. He praised Barrera as a "beautiful actress" and asserted that she was "on the right side of history." He lamented that "when your livelihood starts getting attacked, sometimes there are things that are worth the price." He also noted that Barrera's comments preceded the current events, implying foresight.

The controversy surrounding Barrera's firing led to significant upheaval in the "Scream" franchise. Jenna Ortega, who plays Tara Carpenter, also departed the project, officially attributed to scheduling conflicts, though the timing raised questions. Director Christopher Landon also left "Scream 7," stating he did not wish to continue without Barrera and subsequently faced online harassment. Despite these issues, "Scream 7" was released in February and became the most successful film in the franchise's history, grossing approximately $214 million worldwide.