Matthew Lillard, known for his role as Stu Macher in the "Scream" franchise, has voiced regret over his decision to return for the seventh installment, stating he feels "ashamed" and was on the "wrong side of history" after actress Melissa Barrera was fired. Barrera was dismissed in November 2023 due to social media posts she shared criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza.
Lillard shared his sentiments during a 30th-anniversary screening of the original "Scream" in Austin, Texas. He admitted his initial excitement about reprising his role overshadowed his awareness of Barrera's situation. "I blew that. I’m on the wrong side of history for that," Lillard stated, according to Entertainment Weekly. "I still like being in the movie, but it may not have been the best idea."
Barrera's dismissal came after she posted criticisms of Israel, accusing it of committing "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza. She also suggested that Western media outlets were biased in their coverage of the conflict. Spyglass Media, the production company behind the "Scream" films, stated that it had zero tolerance for antisemitism or incitement of hate, and that Barrera's rhetoric crossed the line into hate speech.
Barrera has since defended her remarks, asserting that she believes governments should be open to criticism and that she prays for peace. She also described former castmates who returned to "Scream 7" without her as "scabs."
Lillard, however, has publicly supported Barrera, calling her firing "brutal" and asserting that she was "a year early" in her observations about the ongoing conflict. He added that the global community should have supported her more vocally.
Despite the controversy surrounding Barrera's firing and Lillard's subsequent comments, "Scream 7" reportedly achieved over $200 million at the global box office, becoming the highest-grossing film in the franchise's history. The film shifted its focus back to Neve Campbell's character, Sidney Prescott, and included several franchise veterans, including Lillard.
Christian Toto, editor of Hollywood in Toto, commented on Lillard's remarks, suggesting that his regrets surfaced now that the Palestinian cause has gained prominence in Hollywood. Toto questioned whether Lillard would return his earnings from the film or if he fully understood Barrera's statements and the broader context of free speech rights in the industry.