During the Los Angeles premiere of “Scream 7” on Wednesday, a group of anti-Israel protesters gathered to demand a boycott of the film. This move followed the dropping of actress Melissa Barrera from the project due to her controversial social media activity.
The demonstrators chanted phrases like, “Paramount, Paramount, what are you talking about?” and “Palestine will live forever,” as reported by various outlets.
Barrera faced backlash for her Instagram Stories where she claimed Israel was committing “genocide” and accused the media of only portraying “the Israeli side.” Although it’s unclear if she will appear in “Scream 7,” it was acknowledged that she had been removed from the film after her posts linked to the October 7 terrorist attack.
One protester remarked, “Paramount has a blacklist of actors who criticize Israel,” while another advocated for a boycott of Paramount+.
Media coverage included videos and images of the protests. Director Kevin Williamson offered some commentary, stating, “We live in a world where there’s a lot of bad things happening, and I think a lot of people want to be heard about these issues.” He seemed uncertain about the effectiveness of the boycott but encouraged people to follow their instincts.
Spyglass, a company associated with the film, made a statement asserting a strong stance against anti-Semitism in any form, emphasizing their zero tolerance policy.
Barrera’s posts had dramatic language, stating conditions in Gaza resembled a “concentration camp,” drawing uneasy comparisons with historical events, and raising questions about media bias.
In another comment, she emphasized her efforts to unearth narratives surrounding the Palestinian side of the conflict and suggested Western media often represents only one viewpoint.
Christopher Landon, who had initially been set to direct “Scream 7” but chose to step away from the project, noted he received threats during his tenure, particularly following Barrera’s exit. He described the situation as unbearable, leading him to reassess his involvement in the film.
In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Landon explained his departure, revealing that the intense “hatred and abuse” he faced, including threats against his family, prompted his decision. He even mentioned the involvement of the FBI due to the severity of the threats.
