‘Scream’: Melissa Barrera Open to Returning—But “Not With the Company That Currently Holds the Rights”

Melissa Barrera may not be completely finished with the Scream franchise.

The actor, who played Sam Carpenter in Scream (2022) and Scream VI, recently addressed whether she could ever return to the horror franchise—and made it clear that the company currently holding the rights would be a dealbreaker.

Barrera was asked by JustWatch whether there was a scenario in which she would reprise her role.

“Not with the company that currently holds the rights,” Barrera said.

She went on to explain that she still has affection for the franchise and enjoyed making the two movies, but said she would not want to work with the current leadership of Spyglass Media Group again.

“I love the franchise. I had an amazing time making those movies,” Barrera said. “But a lot of the hate and the difficulty that I’ve faced in the last years is because the leadership of that company made it a point to label me something that I’m not, and they never apologized.”

Barrera was removed from Scream 7 in November 2023 after Spyglass said some of her social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict crossed its stated standards regarding antisemitism and hate speech. Barrera subsequently said she would continue speaking out on issues she believed were important.

Even an apology, Barrera said, would not be enough to bring her back under the current arrangement.

“So, not that I’m holding my breath—I don’t think they have that ability—but if the franchise were ever to leave those hands and go more into hands that I think honor Wes Craven’s legacy more, I think yeah,” she said.

Barrera’s departure changed the direction of the franchise. Neve Campbell, who had sat out Scream VI following a salary dispute, returned as Sidney Prescott for Scream 7, putting the original protagonist back at the center of the story.

Another familiar face also returned in Scream 7: Matthew Lillard, whose character Stu Macher appeared to die in the original 1996 movie. Lillard has since spoken publicly about his decision to return, expressing regret that he did not consider Barrera’s situation more carefully at the time.

“When that happened to Melissa, the whole world didn’t pipe up,” Lillard said during a convention appearance. “She was a year early on what the f***’s going on. But the whole world should have popped up and said, ‘She’s right.’”

Lillard acknowledged that he was excited to return to the franchise and said he regretted not thinking more about Barrera’s experience.

“I blew that,” he said. “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.”

Meanwhile, the Scream franchise is continuing beyond Scream 7. Lilla and Nora Zuckerman are attached to write Scream 8, although details about the next installment remain limited.

For now, a return for Barrera remains hypothetical—but the actor has made her position clear: she would consider playing Sam Carpenter again if the franchise were no longer under its current ownership.