Spyglass Media Group initially declined to comment when Variety broke the news that the company had dropped Melissa Barrera from the cast of Scream 7. But now the production banner behind the revival of the hit horror franchise is pushing back against a narrative that quickly emerged around the decision: that Barrera was fired for showing support for the Palestinian cause. Instead, a spokesperson clarifies that Barrera’s posts were interpreted as anti-Semitic.
“Spyglass’ position is unequivocally clear: we have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism or incitement to hatred in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or anything that blatantly crosses the line into hate speech,” a Spyglass spokesperson tells Variety.
Following the 7 October Hamas terror attacks and Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza, Barrera posted on her Instagram about the conflict, re-sharing a post accusing Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing” and one from Jewish Currents magazine about “distorting the Holocaust to boost the Israeli arms industry”. Spyglass quickly cut ties with the In the Heights actor following the posts. Barrera was due to star in the next “Scream” film, having starred in the fifth and sixth instalments over the past two years.
Barrera no longer works with a publicist. Variety has reached out to a manager for Barrera for comment.
Filmmaker Christopher Landon, who is set to take over directing duties on “Scream VII” after Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett stepped down from helming the franchise revival, initially issued a statement on Barrera’s departure.
“Everything sucks. Stop shouting. This was not my decision,” Landon wrote.
