By Thomas Anderson, The Appleton Times
LOS ANGELES — As the red carpet rolled out for the Scream 7 premiere at Paramount Pictures Studios on Monday evening, a small but vocal group of pro-Palestine activists gathered outside to protest the film's production company and call for a boycott. The demonstration, which took place on February 26, 2026, highlighted ongoing tensions in Hollywood over the Israel-Hamas war, particularly the 2023 firing of actress Melissa Barrera from the franchise. Organized by groups including Entertainment Labor for Palestine, CODEPINK LA, Musicians for Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles, the activists waved signs accusing Paramount of blacklisting performers who criticize Israel and urged audiences to cancel their Paramount+ subscriptions.
One prominent sign read, “Paramount has a BLACKLIST of actors who criticize Israel,” while another declared, “Cancel Paramount+.” The protesters expressed solidarity with Barrera, who had been outspoken in her support for Palestinians amid the conflict that escalated following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. According to organizers, the action aimed to draw attention to what they described as industry suppression of pro-Palestine voices during the film's high-profile event.
The premiere itself proceeded inside the studio lot, with stars like Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and Mason Gooding posing for photos on the red carpet. Campbell is set to reprise her iconic role as Sidney Prescott, the final girl from the original Scream films, while Cox returns as journalist Gale Weathers. Gooding will again play Chad Meeks-Martin. The cast also includes newcomers such as Isabel May, who portrays Sidney's daughter, alongside Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, McKenna Grace, Sam Rechner, and Anna Camp. Directed by Kevin Williamson, who wrote the 1996 original helmed by Wes Craven, Scream 7 is scheduled for wide release the following day, February 27, 2026, with a script by Guy Busick.
Williamson addressed the protest briefly in comments to reporters, stating, “They Have The Right To Be Heard.” His remarks underscored a commitment to free expression even as the film moved forward without Barrera and other key figures who departed amid the controversy.
Barrera's dismissal in November 2023 marked a turning point for the franchise. The Colombian-American actress, who had starred as Sam Carpenter in Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023), posted social media messages supporting Palestinians and condemning what she called a “genocide” in Gaza. Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the series, responded swiftly, announcing that Barrera would not return for the seventh installment. In a statement, the company said it had “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form,” leading to her immediate exit from the project.
The fallout was swift and significant. Shortly after Barrera's firing, her co-star Jenna Ortega, who played Tara Carpenter, dropped out of Scream 7, citing scheduling conflicts but leaving the production in limbo. Original director Christopher Landon also exited, publicly criticizing the decision on social media and calling it a “dream job that turned into a nightmare.” These departures threatened to derail the long-running slasher series, which has grossed over $800 million worldwide since its debut nearly three decades ago.
Spyglass persevered, bringing back Williamson to direct the film he co-created. The studio also lured Campbell back after she had sat out the previous two entries due to a pay dispute. Production resumed in 2024, with filming wrapping up late last year despite the behind-the-scenes drama. The film's plot details remain under wraps, but it is expected to continue the meta-horror tradition of the franchise, blending scares with commentary on the film industry itself.
Outside the premiere, the protest remained peaceful, with participants chanting and holding signs visible to arriving guests and media. Eyewitness accounts described a group of about eight activists, a modest turnout that nonetheless garnered attention through social media and coverage from entertainment outlets. One organizer from Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles told reporters on site that the action was meant to “amplify the voices silenced by Hollywood's powerful gatekeepers,” linking Barrera's case to broader concerns about artistic freedom during geopolitical conflicts.
The Israel-Hamas war, which began with Hamas militants killing around 1,200 people in Israel and taking over 250 hostages, has prompted widespread protests globally, including in the entertainment industry. Hollywood has seen a wave of activism, with actors, writers, and directors signing open letters calling for cease-fires and humanitarian aid to Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities report over 40,000 deaths since the conflict's onset. Barrera's firing drew criticism from free speech advocates, who argued it exemplified a chilling effect on expression, while supporters of the decision pointed to the need to combat rising antisemitism in the wake of the attacks.
Spyglass has not issued a new statement on the protest, but industry insiders note that the company maintains its original position. In the months following Barrera's exit, several other high-profile cases emerged, including investigations into actors' social media posts by agencies and studios. The Academy Awards in 2024 faced similar demonstrations, with activists disrupting events to highlight the issue.
Protesters at the Scream 7 event distributed flyers detailing Barrera's contributions to the franchise and her charitable work, including donations to Palestinian relief efforts. They also criticized Paramount's parent company for its investments and partnerships, though specifics were not elaborated during the demonstration. One activist, speaking anonymously to media, said, “This isn't just about one actress; it's about an industry that profits from silence on injustice.”
Inside the premiere, the atmosphere was celebratory, with cast members focusing on the film's revival. Cox, a veteran of all previous Scream movies, spoke to reporters about the franchise's enduring appeal, saying it “keeps evolving with the times.” Gooding echoed that sentiment, praising Williamson's vision for honoring Wes Craven's legacy while introducing fresh faces like May and Grace, both young stars from recent hits.
The protest's small scale did not diminish its symbolism for participants, who viewed it as part of a larger movement gaining traction in creative circles. Online, the event trended under hashtags like #FreePalestine and #BoycottScream7, with supporters sharing photos from Deadline's live coverage, including images of the gathered crowd outside the studio gates.
As Scream 7 heads into theaters, its box office performance could test the impact of such boycotts. The franchise has historically thrived on controversy and cultural relevance, from its initial satire of '90s teen horror to recent entries tackling social media and cancel culture. Analysts predict a solid opening weekend, bolstered by nostalgia and the return of original stars, but any organized pushback from activist groups may influence streaming numbers on Paramount+ later.
The demonstration underscores the intersection of entertainment and global politics, a dynamic that has intensified since the war's outbreak. With ongoing negotiations in the Middle East and continued advocacy in the U.S., Hollywood remains a flashpoint. For now, the Scream 7 team presses forward, hoping to slash through the noise and deliver another hit for the Ghostface saga.