Anna Camp Among Ensemble as Protesters Gather at Scream 7 Premiere After Melissa Barrera Firing
Protests outside the Paramount Pictures Studios lot in Los Angeles marked the red carpet rollout for Scream 7, where cast members including anna camp stood amid calls for a boycott tied to the firing of Melissa Barrera. The confrontation crystallizes a months-long controversy that has reshaped the film’s personnel and public reception in the run-up to its release.
Paramount Pictures Studios Premiere Protest
About 25 demonstrators positioned themselves around the lot with flags, drums and bullhorns, chanting lines such as “Paramount, Paramount, what do you say?” and “Palestine will live forever!” Protest signage included a panel reading “Paramount has a BLACKLIST of actors who criticize Israel” and another urging “Cancel Paramount+. ” The public action was led by Entertainment Labor for Palestine, CODEPINK LA, Musicians for Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles, and the protesters made clear they were also pro-Melissa Barrera.
Melissa Barrera Firing and Backlash
The demonstrations followed Spyglass Media Group’s decision in November 2023 to remove Melissa Barrera from the Scream franchise after she posted statements on Instagram about the war in Gaza. Barrera was largely critical of Israel in those posts, accusing the nation of “genocide and ethnic cleansing, ” and she shared content from Jewish Currents Magazine about what she characterized as distortion of the Holocaust to benefit the Israeli arms industry. Spyglass said it has zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing and Holocaust distortion, and informed the actress she would not reprise her role.
Creative Fallout: Directors and Cast Changes
The decision set off a chain of creative disruptions. Jenna Ortega exited the seventh installment, citing scheduling conflicts, and original director Christopher Landon parted ways with the project after receiving death threats related to Barrera’s removal, even though the firing was not his decision. Those departures forced a script rewrite and prompted Spyglass to turn to Kevin Williamson — the writer of the original 1996 film — to direct the new installment.
Anna Camp and an Expanded Cast Lineup
With the overhaul underway, Neve Campbell was brought back to reprise Sidney Prescott after sitting out Scream VI over a prior salary dispute. The film’s cast now includes Campbell alongside Courteney Cox, David Arquette and Matthew Lillard; Mason Gooding returns as Chad Meeks-Martin; Isabel May plays Sidney’s daughter; and the ensemble also lists Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, McKenna Grace, Sam Rechner, Joel McHale, Jasmin Savoy Brown and anna camp. Screenwriter Guy Busick is credited with the script for the new installment.
McKenna Grace’s Red Carpet Appearance
On Wednesday, Feb. 25, 19-year-old McKenna Grace walked the premiere red carpet at Paramount Pictures Studios in an edgy black strapless gown with a form-fitting bodice, large side cutouts and a prominent silk bow, paired with an asymmetrical hemline and fringed fabric. She completed the look with a black neck scarf, soft curls with thick bangs, classic black heels and large gold earrings. Grace later posted photos from the screening to Instagram, including snaps with co-stars, and received comments from fans praising her mature appearance with messages like “She is grown up” and “You look incredible!!”
