What happens when a film loses the support of the entire internet, arguably its biggest leads, and three of its directors? Generally, it’s canceled almost immediately. Such is the situation that Scream 7 finds itself in after a nightmarish past couple of months.
Director Christopher Landon announced his departure from the film on social media, describing the ordeal has turned into a “dream job that turned into a nightmare.” This news follows the controversial firing of the reboot’s lead actress, Melissa Barrera, over her social media posts on the conflict in Gaza and the departure of Jenna Ortega due to scheduling conflicts.
Landon, known for directing Happy Death Day and Freaky, took over the directorial duties for Scream 7 from the duo known as Radio Silence, consisting of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who directed the pair of reboots, Scream 5 and Scream 6. Landon’s decision to leave the project is a significant blow to the film, which is now left without a pair of lead actors and a director. In his statement, Landon expressed his hope for Wes Craven’s legacy to thrive despite the challenges faced by Scream 7. But, if we’re being honest, this is highly unlikely.
I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago. This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on. I have nothing
— christopher landon (@creetureshow) December 23, 2023
Barrera’s firing sparked a significant backlash, with over 1,300 actors and artists signing a letter condemning what they call censorship against speaking out on Palestine. In response to the firing, Landon expressed his frustration in a now-deleted post on social media, stating, “everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.” Barrera later condemned anti-semitism and Islamophobia in a statement, emphasizing her commitment to using her platform to raise awareness about issues she cares about.
Jenna Ortega’s exit from the project, reportedly due to a pay dispute and conflicts with her shooting schedule for the next season of Wednesday on Netflix, Beetlejuice 2, and presumably, the Uncle Fester spin-off, further complicates the production of Scream 7. The film, which was expected to continue the success of its predecessors, is now facing an uncertain future.
With both lead actresses and the director gone, the film’s direction and storyline remain in question. After all, it’s not like it can make Neve Campbell come back at this point. We doubt the actress who portrayed Sydney Prescott for years would be willing to return after all the bad blood.
Ultimately, the ongoing issues with Scream 7 highlight the difficulties in managing a long-running franchise, especially when creative and casting decisions lead to public outcry and internal turmoil.
As the current situation develops, it remains to be seen how Paramount and the producers will address these challenges and whether Scream 7 will proceed with a new director and cast. The departure of key talents like Landon, Barrera, and Ortega raises questions about the viability of the project and whether it can recapture the essence of what made the Scream series a beloved horror franchise.
Although if you ask anyone who wants to see Scream continue, Paramount is better off canceling the film, or at the very least, putting it on hiatus for a few years.
