Melissa Barrera expelled over Palestine support, ‘Scream’ cast resigns

The abrupt removal of Mexican actress Melissa Barrera from the cast of the upcoming film “Scream 7” has stirred a major debate, triggered by her public expression of support for Palestine. The 33-year-old found herself ousted from the film series after her social media posts, deemed by some as “antisemitic.”

In the wake of Barrera’s dismissal, a wave of support from prominent figures has emerged.

European Parliament member Mick Wallace took to social media platform X, asserting that Barrera was ousted by Spyglass television company for daring to address the plight of Palestinians. Wallace characterized the move as a “scandal involving the intimidation tactics of the Israeli lobby.”

Film critic Zoe Rose Bryant also joined the conversation on X, declaring, “Melissa Barrera and our voices will not be silenced.”

Grace Van Dien, an actress from the acclaimed series “Stranger Things,” chose Instagram to share an article on Barrera’s exclusion from the film, questioning, “Are we all boycotting Spyglass films?” The post was later removed.

In the aftermath of Barrera’s removal, American actress Jenna Ortega also departed from “Scream 7.” Her exit, officially attributed to scheduling conflicts with the second season of “Wednesday,” has sparked speculation that it might be a protest against Barrera’s dismissal, given Ortega’s past expressions of support for Palestine.

As the fallout continues, reports indicate that producers are in talks to bring back Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and Patrick Dempsey for “Scream 7.” Dempsey, known for his role in “Scream 3” back in 2000, could potentially return.

While the initial release date for “Scream 7” was set for 2025, the ongoing cast reshuffling raises questions about potential delays in the film’s timeline.