Fans express disappointment as two lead stars exit the franchise amid controversy

The upcoming Scream 7 has sparked backlash among fans following the confirmed absence of stars Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera, both of whom played leading roles in reviving the iconic horror franchise.

Barrera, who portrayed Sam Carpenter in the previous two installments, was removed from the franchise in November 2023 after publicly expressing solidarity with Palestine and criticizing Israeli military actions in Gaza. Her dismissal came after she shared social media posts condemning civilian casualties amid the conflict.

At the time, the film’s production company, Spyglass Media, cited Barrera’s remarks as “antisemitic,” a claim her supporters and many human rights advocates strongly rejected.

Her removal led to widespread outrage across social media, with many fans and organizations calling for her reinstatement.

Jenna Ortega’s departure followed soon after

Shortly after Barrera’s exit, co-star Jenna Ortega, who played her on-screen sister Tara Carpenter, also walked away from the franchise.

While official reports initially claimed scheduling conflicts, multiple industry insiders and fans linked her departure to Barrera’s firing. Ortega, who has also publicly supported Palestinian civilians, reportedly saw “no point in continuing the story without Melissa.”

Fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram with messages of disappointment following the Scream 7 trailer release.

“This is missing very important women,” one user wrote.
“That’s where the Scream franchise ended for me,” commented another, sharing a still from Scream VI.

Calls for boycott and continued support

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, along with 22 other organizations, has launched a campaign against Scream 7, urging audiences to boycott the film in solidarity with Barrera.

Despite the controversy, Scream 7 remains scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, under the direction of Kevin Williamson, the writer behind the original 1996 classic.

Returning cast members include Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, though fans have voiced skepticism about whether the franchise can maintain its cultural relevance without its younger stars.