Matthew Lillard Says He Is on the Wrong Side of History for Joining Scream 7
- The actor, who reprised his role as original killer Stu Macher three decades after the 1996 original film, addressed the controversial production during a Q&A session.
- Lillard’s remarks directly reference the November 2023 firing of Melissa Barrera from Scream 7.
- During the anniversary screening, an audience member questioned Lillard about the challenges performers face when navigating contentious political topics.
The actor, who reprised his role as original killer Stu Macher three decades after the 1996 original film, addressed the controversial production during a Q&A session. And I’m like, ‘Oh, f—. That’s brutal.’ I feel bad about that. I didn’t say no. I’m embarrassed, that’s the truth… I blew that. I’m on the wrong side of history for that. I still like being in the movie [but] it may not have been the best idea.”
The Controversy Surrounding Melissa Barrera’s Exit
Lillard’s remarks directly reference the November 2023 firing of Melissa Barrera from Scream 7. Barrera, who starred as Sam Carpenter in 2022’s Scream and 2023’s Scream VI, was dropped from the project by rights holder Spyglass Media after posting messages on social media regarding the Gaza war and Israel’s retaliation, with the studio characterizing the commentary as anti-Semitic. Following Barrera’s departure, co-star Jenna Ortega exited the film, prompting a massive creative overhaul. Studio executives pivoted the production by bringing back legacy figures such as Neve Campbell and Lillard to appease longtime fans and steady the franchise. Critical reception, however, suffered, yielding a 30 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B− CinemaScore.
Weighing Public Stance and Political Pressure
During the anniversary screening, an audience member questioned Lillard about the challenges performers face when navigating contentious political topics. Lillard emphasized that advocacy remains essential for his personal life, pointing to his own family and social causes. “For me, I have queer kids. If I’m not standing up for queer kids or kids in the trans community, then what the f–k am I doing? Lillard praised Barrera’s actions during the controversy, framing her willingness to speak out as an act of bravery. “Melissa Barrera, who’s a beautiful actor, was fired for what she said after the whole Palestinian— what started happening in Israel. It’s really f—ing bulls$#it and really hard and she’s on the right side of history.””
Looking Ahead for the Franchise
While writers Lilla and Nora Zuckerman have already been tasked with penning a script for Scream 8, Lillard’s recent comments suggest his involvement with future sequels remains unlikely. Beyond his film work, Lillard continues to engage with the horror community through ventures such as Find Familiar Spirits’ Ghost Face Vodka, keeping him tied to the fandom even as he distances himself from the most recent production choices.