It appears that Melissa Barrera, known for her roles in “Scream” and “Scream VI,” may not be reprising her role in the upcoming “Scream VII.” This surprising development comes in the wake of Barrera’s social media posts addressing the Israel-Hamas War, leading to her removal from the franchise, as reported by THR.

In a noteworthy Instagram post, Barrera expressed her concern about the situation in Gaza, likening it to a concentration camp and denouncing what she perceived as genocide and ethnic cleansing. This controversial stance seems to have prompted the creative team behind “Scream VII” to reassess their plans, and according to the report, production is on hold as they navigate this unexpected turn of events.

Christopher Landon, the director at the helm of “Scream VII,” shed some light on his involvement in the project, stating that the opportunity came unexpectedly. He revealed that the previous directors, Tyler and Matt, opted for a different direction, leading to the search for a new director. Landon, known for his work on films like “Happy Death Day” and “Freaky,” expressed his excitement about joining the franchise, highlighting the serendipity of the opportunity.

While details about the screenplay for “Scream VII” remain undisclosed, the last two films were penned by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. Given Landon’s background as a screenwriter, it’s plausible that he may be involved in crafting the script for the upcoming installment.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding Barrera’s involvement, familiar faces such as Jenna Ortega, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown are expected to return to the film. Fans are also hopeful for the return of Hayden Panettiere, adding to the anticipation surrounding the movie.

Melissa Barrera’s character, Sam Carpenter, had been a central figure in the franchise revival. However, with her potential exit, the trajectory of her character’s storyline—revealing her as the daughter of Billy Loomis—remains uncertain, leaving fans curious about the future direction of the “Scream” series.

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