Much more than any other contemporary film franchise, the future of ‘Scream’ was one of those that most worried the legion of fans of the beloved series created by Wes Craven in the late 1990s. With the sudden departure of the cast of the seventh project of the saga, it was already believed that Neve Campbell would be the most obvious replacement to star in the new phase. With the fact confirmed on social media, what should have been a source of joy for horror fans turned into complete chaos, which even led to threats of a boycott.
Anyone who follows Hollywood news, and more specifically the world of horror, knows that the set of ‘Scream’ has generated some of the biggest uproars in entertainment. Long before the most recent episode of this story, some other important events were essential for the narrative to finally explode and become what it is at the moment.
In November 2023, the actress who played the star of the new phase of the franchise (in ‘Scream’ and ‘Scream VI’), Melissa Barrera, was fired from the future project, ‘Scream VII’, after posting posts in support of Palestine in their social networks, after the start of the conflict between the State of Israel and Hamas.
The positioning was enough for Spyglass, the saga’s producer, to remove Barrera from future projects – even though she was, literally, the protagonist.
The chaos was immediate. And, contrary to what the producer thought, fans of the saga were extremely angry. Not only did they end up turning against the mega company: the project’s own cast began, little by little, to give up on ‘Scream VII’ before it even left pre-production.
The second choice for protagonist, Jenna Ortega – who played the younger sister of Melissa Barrera’s character, Tara Carpenter – packed her bags as soon as she could and ran away from any participation in the franchise.
Even though “scheduling conflicts” due to the recording of ‘Wandinha’ were attested, many believe that she actually wanted to give a direct message to the producer. The director expected to direct the seventh chapter, Christopher Landon, also decided to leave. On X, formerly Twitter, he made a point of attesting that he hoped Wes Craven’s legacy would move forward, above all else.
HELLO, SIDNEY
It wasn’t long before the only option left was Neve Campbell, the original protagonist, the franchise’s iconic Sidney Prescott. Some even had doubts, as the artist had said in an interview that she had refused to participate in the sixth project because she had received a fee proposal far below the amount she expected, as she was the original scream queen.
“I don’t believe I would be treated the way I was if I was a man running this franchise 25 years ago, and I still think that way,” he said.
The “decent proposal” that the actress wanted so much seems to have finally knocked on the door. On Instagram, the actress revealed her participation in ‘Scream VII’ with a photo of the script in hand, as well as a caption explaining her happiness in returning and how happy she was to learn that the producer and screenwriter of the original films, Kevin Williamson, would be the responsible for directing the project that until recently had no direction.
“To the amazing ‘Scream’ fans, I hope you’re as excited as I am. See you on set @kevinwilliamson!” Anxiety wasn’t exactly the right word to describe the fans’ feelings.
“After Melissa was fired for showing support for Palestine it makes sense that they would call you out, but accepting the money and working for the same people who fired her is INSANE!” wrote one user in the comments section of the horror veteran’s post .
There were many boycott threats, from then on: “It would be great news if it weren’t for the way they treated Melissa. I’m not going to watch that one”, another commented.
On X, the comments were even fiercer, and much less friendly. “Neve Cambell doesn’t have a shred of shame on her face. Melissa Barrera defended you without even hesitating when they didn’t want to pay you a fair salary, but as soon as they (unfairly) fired her are you happy to return? With people who support genocide ? Fuck you, girl!” wrote an angry fan.
“It’s funny to see how some of these toxic ‘Scream’ fans can’t see that Spyglass only brought Neve Campbell back because they ruined their own movie and don’t want to admit that firing Melissa was their worst mistake,” he said. other.
The subject really continues to give people something to talk about, and campaigns are divided on the internet between those who come out in defense of the chosen actress and those who want justice for the impact of the producer’s decision on the career of Melissa Barrera – an extremely talented young woman.
There are still no confirmations that say whether the other part of the cast, including Courteney Cox, Hayden Panettiere, Mason Gooding Jr. and Jasmin Savoy Brown, will return in the next film, given the absurd controversies involving the departure of Melissa and Jenna and the sudden admission of Neve Campbell.
‘Scream VII’ does not yet have a confirmed release date. It is speculated, however, that the film should arrive in theaters in 2025.
Take a look below at the trailers for ‘Scream’ (1996), with Neve Campbell in the role of Scream Queen Sidney Prescott, and ‘Scream VI’, which had Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega as Sam and Tara Carpenter, daughters of the franchise’s first Ghostface.
*Edited by Luís Alberto Nogueira
Tags: Fans threaten boycott Scream Neve Campbells return Understand reason Films
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