{"id":9127,"date":"2026-09-17T11:31:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:31:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/?p=9127"},"modified":"2026-09-17T11:31:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:31:06","slug":"matthew-lillard-why-only-now-admitting-regrets-scream-7-melissa-barrera-firing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/2026\/09\/17\/matthew-lillard-why-only-now-admitting-regrets-scream-7-melissa-barrera-firing\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Matthew Lillard is only now admitting he regrets Scream 7 after Melissa Barrera’s firing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matthew Lillard has revealed that he feels \u201cshame\u201d about his decision to star in Scream 7 after Melissa Barrera<\/a> was fired from the horror franchise over her stance on Palestine, saying he was \u201con the wrong side of history\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

The actor reprised his role as original Ghostface<\/a> Stu Macher in the seventh entry after the movie went through a huge creative overhaul, returning alongside Neve Campbell and David Arquette.<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally, Scream 7 was going to centre on the Carpenter sisters, played by Barrera and Jenna Ortega<\/a>, following on from the events of the sixth film. But in November 2023, Barrera was fired over posts supporting Palestine and criticising the Israeli government.<\/span><\/p>\n

The film\u2019s production company, Spyglass Media Group, claimed her comments were interpreted as antisemitic. <\/span><\/p>\n

There was a huge backlash to the decision at the time, with more than 1,300 creatives signing a letter shared by Artists For Palestine UK criticising the string of firings of performers who had spoken in support of Palestine – including Barrera\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shortly after, Ortega departed the project, as did director Christopher Landon. Then the Scream 7<\/a> that landed in cinemas earlier this year started to take shape.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lillard has clearly had some second thoughts about his decision to return, as he expressed during a Q&A at Scream\u2019s 30th anniversary screening in Austin on Tuesday. <\/span><\/p>\n

Why is he only speaking out now?<\/h2>\n

There are a few reasons Lillard addressed the situation. The topic turned political when someone in the audience asked about the difficulty of speaking out on these issues as an actor. Lillard also highlighted the recent Ed Sheeran controversy and said he\u2019s been called out about the Scream 7 controversy in recent months. <\/span><\/p>\n

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@cocteautriplets<\/a> <\/p>\n

He took accountability and had an uncomfortable conversation #edsheeran<\/a> #matthewlillard<\/a> #scream<\/a> #scarymovie<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c original sound – \ud83e\udd8b<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n