Melissa Barrera Says She Would Return to ‘Scream’ Franchise If the Right ‘Were Ever to Leave’ Spyglass: ‘I Had an Amazing Time Making Those Movies’
Melissa Barrera says she would consider returning to the “Scream” franchise only if its rights moved away from Spyglass Media Group. She said she loved making the films but would not work with the company because of its public characterisation of her social-media comments about Israel and Gaza, which she disputes.
Barrera starred in “Scream” (2022) and “Scream VI” before Spyglass dismissed her in 2023. She said the company never apologised and that she was unlikely to return even if it did, while expressing hope that future rights-holders would better honour director Wes Craven’s legacy; she also contrasted the limited support she received with the backing Macklemore recently received over his pro-Palestinian stance.
- Barrera would return only if Spyglass lost the “Scream” rights.
- She says she loved making the franchise’s films.
- Spyglass dismissed her in 2023 over disputed antisemitism allegations.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Barrera’s position is that artists should not be required to work with a company they believe misrepresented their views on a sensitive political and humanitarian issue. From this perspective, declining to return is a principled exercise of professional autonomy, especially if she feels Spyglass neither apologised nor adequately supported her, while a change of rights-holder could allow her to reconnect with the franchise and its creative legacy.
The case against
Spyglass’s position could be that it had a responsibility to protect the franchise, its partners and audiences from public statements it regarded as inappropriate or harmful, regardless of Barrera’s intentions. From this perspective, ending the working relationship was a legitimate business decision, and retaining control of the series may be important for maintaining continuity, safeguarding the brand and choosing collaborators whose public conduct aligns with the company’s standards.