Matthew Lillard Says He Feels 'Ashamed' About Returning for 'Scream 7' After Melissa Barrera's Firing
Lillard said his excitement to return outweighed Barrera’s firing, and he later called his decision embarrassing and said he was on the wrong side of history.
- On Tuesday, actor Matthew Lillard admitted at a 30th-anniversary screening of Scream that he is "ashamed" of returning to Scream 7 after Melissa Barrera was fired from the franchise.
- Production company Spyglass Media fired Barrera in 2023 after she criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, citing "zero tolerance for antisemitism." Lillard's initial excitement to return overshadowed consideration of her departure.
- Barrera's dismissal triggered departures by Director Christopher Landon and Jenna Ortega. Despite the controversy, Scream 7 opened in February and became the series' highest-grossing entry with $214 million.
- Reflecting on the industry's climate, Lillard expressed regret over his lack of solidarity with Barrera. He noted that "I don't think it's easy all the time" to speak out on politics.
- Lillard concluded he is "on the wrong side of history" for prioritizing his return over supporting Barrera, while asserting she was "right" regarding the geopolitical conflict she discussed.
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Matthew Lillard Says ‘I Feel Ashamed’ for Acting in ‘Scream 7’ After Melissa Barrera Got Fired: ‘I Blew That. I’m on the Wrong Side of History’
Matthew Lillard says he feels ashamed that she starred in "Scream 7" after Melissa Barrera was fired for pro-Palestine social media posts.
Matthew Lillard Says He Feels “Ashamed” About ‘Scream 7’ Return After Melissa Barrera Firing, Says It Put Him On “The Wrong Side Of History”
Matthew Lillard spent decades enjoying the affection that comes with being one of the “Scream” franchise’s original killers, so returning to the series nearly 30 years later should have been an uncomplicated victory lap. In hindsight, Lillard says he wishes he had considered the greater implications of saying yes to the gig. During a Q&A after a 30th-anniversary screening of the original “Scream” on Tuesday night, Lillard addressed his decision …
Washington Times
The New York LedgerMatthew Lillard says he's 'ashamed' over Melissa Barrera's 'Scream' firing
MATTHEW LILLARD says he is "ashamed" of returning to the "Scream" franchise after the firing of former co-star Melissa Barrera, who was let go in 2023 for social media posts that accused Israel of "genocide and ethnic cleansing." "I'm on the wrong side of history for that," Lillard said about returning to the movie series.
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