Protesters demonstrated for Palestine outside the premiere of Scream 7 as the cast and crew were photographed. Photo / Getty Images
Protesters demonstrated for Palestine outside the premiere of Scream 7 as the cast and crew were photographed. Photo / Getty Images
Two years after lead actor Melissa Barrera was sacked for her pro-Palestine views, the Scream franchise continues to be shadowed in controversy as the Los Angeles premiere of the newest instalment was interrupted by protesters.
On Wednesday, about 25 people gathered outside the Paramount Studios lot with placards calling fora boycott of the major entertainment company, the California Post reported.
According to Deadline, Entertainment Labour for Palestine, CODEPINK LA, Musicians for Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Palestine were reportedly involved in the organisation of the demonstration.
The upcoming entry in the franchise was set to star lead actor Melissa Barrera before she was fired for her public support for Palestine, which the heads of Scream production company Spyglass condemned as “hate speech”.
Barrera criticised Israel in 2023, writing that Gaza was “currently being treated like a concentration camp” and resharing a post that said Israel was committing genocide by “brutally killing innocent Palestinians”.
Israeli military activities in Gaza were formally described as a genocide by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory in September last year.
Scream 7 director Kevin Williamson told the Hollywood Reporter he supported the right to protest “100%”, going on to opine to Variety that “his heart goes out” to those gathered outside.
“We live in a world where a lot of bad things are happening out there, and I think a lot of people want to be heard and they want to have their voice heard about bad stuff that’s happening,” he said.
“I don’t know if cancelling Paramount+ is the way to do it. But I think people should listen to their inner self and do what feels good for them.”
Barrera has seemingly responded to the protests herself, sharing a post to her Instagram that reads “I see you” alongside a heart emoji.
Melissa Barrera was fired from the Scream franchise in 2023 after she said Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Photo / Arturo Holmes, Getty Images
In November, Variety reported that Paramount was blacklisting creatives that are politically vocal about Palestine, refusing to work with stars they have deemed “overtly antisemitic”.
Barrera held firm on her statements at the time, writing on Instagram that “silence is not an option” when news of her firing broke.
“I will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom.”
Her co-lead Jenna Ortega left the franchise at the same time, clarifying last year that her decision to quit the series “had nothing to do with pay or scheduling”.
Controversially, the series’ original lead Neve Campbell returned for the newest instalment after her absence in the sixth film, which was focused on Barrera and Ortega.
She departed the iconic horror franchise in 2023 following a dispute about her pay, only agreeing to reprise her role in Scream 7 after she was offered a reported US$7 million ($11.7 million) figure.
Critics said those appearing in the subsequent films lacked solidarity towards Barrera and were complicit in the ongoing deaths of Palestinian civilians.
Other franchise alums Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich and Matthew Lillard also attended the premiere.
