With the Sundance Film Festival in full swing, actress Melissa Barrera took the opportunity to address her controversial exit from the “Scream” franchise. Barrera, who attended the festival for the premiere of her latest horror film, “Your Monster,” shared her thoughts on the matter.
Barrera expressed gratitude for the recent events in her life, stating, “Honestly, I think I finally am becoming who I’m supposed to be in life, and the last few months have been a big awakening of that.” Despite her departure from “Scream,” the actress remains thankful for everything that has happened.
In the “Scream” franchise, Barrera portrayed Sam Carpenter, the daughter of Billy Loomis from the original films. Her performances in “Scream 6” and “Scream 7” were well-received, with the latter setting a box office record for the franchise, earning $108 million domestically. However, Barrera was unexpectedly fired last November after expressing support for Palestine on social media.
Spyglass, the production banner behind the “Scream” franchise, released a statement at the time, emphasizing their zero tolerance for hate speech and antisemitism. They clarified that their decision to let go of Barrera was due to her false references to genocide and Holocaust distortion, among other issues.
Following Barrera’s exit, her co-star Jenna Ortega and “Scream 7” director Christopher Landon also departed from the project. Landon took to social media to announce his own exit and express his disappointment, stating, “It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved.”
While Barrera may no longer be part of the “Scream” franchise, her passion for horror continues. At the Sundance Film Festival, she celebrated the world premiere of “Your Monster.” Directed by Caroline Lindy, the film intertwines elements of horror and romantic-comedy. It follows the story of a young actress with cancer, played by Barrera, who discovers a terrifying yet charming monster living in her closet.
In conclusion, Barrera’s departure from the “Scream” franchise might have been unexpected, but she remains grateful for the experiences and opportunities it brought her. With “Your Monster” captivating audiences at Sundance, Barrera continues to make her mark in the horror genre.
For more information on Melissa Barrera’s take on her “Scream” firing, visit F5mag.com.