Los Angeles witnessed an unexpected turn of events on the evening of February 26, 2026, as the much-anticipated premiere of the horror film Scream 7 at Paramount Studios was overshadowed by a vocal protest. A group of around 25 to 30 demonstrators gathered outside the studio’s red carpet entrance, voicing their opposition to the film and demanding a boycott. The protest was organized by a coalition of activist groups including Entertainment Labor for Palestine, CODEPINK LA, and Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles, all united in their call for justice and free speech.
The protesters carried Palestinian flags and chanted slogans such as “Boycott Scream 7” and “Free, free, free Palestine,” creating a charged atmosphere outside the glitzy event. Their demonstration was rooted in the controversial dismissal of actress Melissa Barrera from the film’s cast in November 2023. Barrera’s termination came shortly after she publicly expressed support for Palestine on social media following the October 2023 Hamas incursion into Israel. The production company, Spyglass Media Group, defended their decision by emphasizing a strict policy against antisemitism and hate speech, stating they maintain “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form.”
Carrying placards with messages like “Cancel Paramount+” and “Stand For Free Speech Boycott Scream 7,” the protesters highlighted what they perceive as Hollywood’s suppression of pro-Palestinian voices. They accused the industry of whitewashing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, framing their protest as a stand against censorship and racial injustice. Nino Testa, one of the protest organizers, articulated the group’s position clearly, saying, “We believe that Melissa Barrera is a part of the Scream community and that it’s our responsibility to speak out when a member of our community has been harmed. We refuse to let the franchise we love be used as propaganda for a genocide. We reject Hollywood’s racist blacklisting and censorship of any person who advocates for a free Palestine.”
Meanwhile, the film’s director, Kevin Williamson, who took over the project after the original director Christopher Landon departed, addressed the protests with a balanced perspective. Speaking candidly, Williamson expressed empathy for the demonstrators, acknowledging the importance of their right to protest. “I saw them and my heart just sort of stopped,” he shared. “Look, we live in America. Everyone has a right to protest and everyone should be heard. And if you have your truth and if you want to stand up and be heard, you protest. That is your right in this country, and I stand by it. I support that 100 percent.” His remarks underscored the complex intersection of art, politics, and freedom of expression surrounding the film’s release.
The controversy has had a profound impact on the Scream franchise’s trajectory. Following Barrera’s firing, co-star Jenna Ortega also exited the production, and director Christopher Landon stepped away months later. These departures led to the cancellation of an initially planned three-film storyline centered on the characters portrayed by Barrera and Ortega. In response, Williamson was brought in to reimagine the sequel, which now prominently features the return of franchise stalwarts Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox. Filming resumed in January 2025 under this new direction, aiming to salvage the project amid the turmoil.
Despite the protesters’ efforts to disrupt the premiere, the event proceeded with the usual fanfare. Stars walked the red carpet and posed for photographs, while the sounds of drums and trumpets from the demonstrators echoed faintly in the background. The premiere thus became a scene of contrasting narratives — one of Hollywood glamour and another of impassioned activism. Scream 7 is set to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, with no official statements released by Paramount or Spyglass Media Group in response to the protests as of now.
