In the months following Scream VI, the Scream franchise entered one of its most turbulent phases yet. What should have been a celebratory lead-up to the next sequel became an exercise in speculation — and loss.

Interviews promoting Abigail, the vampire-horror project reuniting Melissa Barrera with Radio Silence, reignited discussion about Scream 7 and the creative fallout surrounding it.

Melissa Barrera on her departure

The conversation began when The Hollywood Reporter revisited Barrera’s unexpected firing from Scream 7 in November 2023 — a decision made after her social media posts expressing support for Palestinian victims in Gaza.

“None of this makes me happy,” Barrera told the outlet. “It was just all sad because I really, deeply care about the franchise. It’s just bad that it had to happen like that.”

Her dismissal from the series sparked immediate backlash against Spyglass Media Group, the rights holder behind the decision. Later, both Jenna Ortega and director Christopher Landon exited the project, leaving Scream 7 adrift in controversy and uncertainty.*

“I actually don’t know what happened,” Barrera added. “He [Landon] was very excited about it and had great ideas for it, so it makes me sad.”

* Editor’s note: Following the controversy, both Jenna Ortega and Christopher Landon explained their departures from Scream 7, each citing their own circumstances.

The unfulfilled trilogy

Before their departure, directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin had envisioned a trilogy centered on the Carpenter sisters, designed to conclude their story after Scream VI.

Their schedule clashed with the studio’s push to fast-track the sequel, leading to their exit.

“We got exited,” Gillett joked.

“We’ll be sad that there’s not going to be an end to the Sam Carpenter story,” Bettinelli-Olpin added. “But in our minds, we designed Scream VI so that the story feels complete.”

Barrera echoed that sentiment, acknowledging her uncertainty but leaving the door slightly open:

“I’ve learned to never say never, but a lot of things would have to happen for Sam to come back. For now, next page, next chapter — we’ll see what the future holds.”

The original plan

Earlier that February, Skeet Ulrich revealed that the trilogy had indeed been mapped to further explore the twisted bond between his character, Billy Loomis, and Sam:

“That’s sort of the idea that was pitched to me a couple of years ago — that it was a three-movie arc with that in mind,” he said. “Now, I never saw any drafts of seven or anything… but my hope was that if it was going to mean anything, it directly impacted the plot.”

It was an intriguing direction — one that may never fully materialize.

A new (and old) direction

By early March 2024, Scream’s story took an unexpected turn: Neve Campbell announced her return, and Kevin Williamson — the original screenwriter — stepped up as director.

The move marked a soft creative reboot for Scream VII, following Campbell’s earlier salary dispute during Scream VI.

While many fans celebrated her comeback, others voiced mixed feelings, particularly younger audiences who viewed it as a regression after the Carpenter era. But as the industry continues to face issues of ageism and opportunity, Campbell’s return felt both pragmatic and poetic — a veteran reclaiming her legacy.

“Can I be happy for Neve and sad for Melissa?”

Actor Jamie Kennedy perhaps summed up the fandom’s conflicted emotions best during an appearance on Sean Clark’s podcast:

“Melissa is a role model — brave, and she has three huge movies coming out this year. Her getting fired was bullshit, let’s just say. Complete bullshit. I’ve never seen anything like it in this town — a rising star getting fired in the middle of their ascension for an opinion. And it wasn’t even that wild of an opinion.”

“If I’m going to get in trouble for that, I can back it up. She’s basically saying, ‘I don’t want to see people get hurt on either side.’ That being said — can I be happy for Neve and sad for Melissa? Both things can be true.”

“Scream is riding higher than it’s ever been. I think Melissa will be back, just like Neve came back. Don’t mess with the fandom that loves her.”

The “what ifs” linger

Whether Scream 7 becomes a rebirth or a reconciliation, one thing is certain: the legacy of Ghostface has always been shaped by change, conflict, and catharsis.

And as Abigail hits theaters on April 19, 2024, fans will still be asking — what if things had gone differently?