There has been a lot of upheaval at the Spyglass as the ‘Scream’ franchise was hung on a thread after they fired Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega for exiting the franchise. The franchise, which started in 1996, has been one of the most profitable horror franchises. But, in 2022, both Melissa and Jenna revived the franchise with ‘Scream V’ and ‘Scream VI’, helping them gross $300 million collectively.
Recently, Melissa Barrera posted an inflammatory statement in support of Palestine amidst the Israel-Hamas war. She called the situation that is happening in Gaza a genocide. She said that the city is getting the treatment of a “concentration camp.” Due to this, the Spyglass Media Group decided to sack the actress. In no time, there was the announcement that Jenna Ortega was also exiting the franchise. Amidst the star drought, there is talk of bringing back Neve Campbell and Patrick Dempsey to the franchise.
Related: Melissa Barrera Gets Dropped From ‘Scream 7’ For Posting Her Stance About Israel-Hamas War
‘Scream’ Makers Are Reconsidering The Seventh Installment With Possible Casting Of Neve Campbell And Patrick Dempsey
The ‘Scream’ franchise’s future looks bleak at this moment. Recently, both Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega had to bid adieu to the franchise. Spyglass fired Melissa for her statement about the Israel-Hamas war. Jenna left the franchise due to a schedule clash with the shooting of the second season of ‘Wednesday.’
Due to this, there is a large overhaul that the makers are planning with the seventh installment of ‘Scream’. As per Variety, the creators are considering bringing back nostalgia by casting Neve Campbell and Patrick Dempsey. Neve was known to play Sidney Prescott, the role that was reprised by Barrera in the sixth installment of every ‘Scream’ film.
However, Neve Campbell quit the franchise after the fifth installment over monetary issues. While Neve’s absence has been recent, Patrick Dempsey did not appear again in the films after the third installment. He played the detective Mark Kincaid in ‘Scream 3’.
While Patrick Demsey’s Mark Kincaid remained absent for a considerable period, Mark’s name was dropped when Sidney came to know that Ghostface was back, as she mentioned her children and husband, Mark. This has led to speculation that Prescott married the homicide detective.
In Case You Missed: Why Is Jenna Ortega Not Reprising Her Role In ‘Scream 7’?
Melissa Barrera Released A Statement After She Got Fired From The Franchise
Spyglass’ spokesperson released a statement, clarifying that they are intolerable to any kind of hate that “references genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion.” This came after Melissa Barrera, who played Sidney Prescott in the fifth and sixth franchises, posted on Instagram, writing, “Gaza is currently being treated like concentration camp.”
She added, “Cornering everyone together, with no where to go, no electricity no water … People have learned nothing from our histories. And just like our histories, people are still silently watching it all happen. THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.”
As a result, Melissa Barrera was fired from the ‘Scream’ franchise. After getting sacked, the actress released a statement, clarifying that she is against homophobia and anti-Semitism. She stated that she is using her platform to raise her voice for the people in need.
Melissa Barrera wrote, “Every person on the earth — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic status — deserves equal human rights, dignity and, of course, freedom.”
She added, “I believe a group of people are NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism.”
The ‘Keep Breathing’ actress wrote further, “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. Silence is not an option for me.”
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