Scream 7 director Christopher Landon revealed he had to exit the film after the sacking of Melissa Barrera sparked death threats against him.

Barrera was axed from the Scream franchise for remarks she made about the conflict between Israel and Palestine that some deemed antisemitic – with Scream 7 originally set to star her and Jenna Ortega, who also left the project.

Landon announced his departure from the Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson franchise in December 2023  – and opened up about the abuse he had faced over the film in a candid chat with Vanity Fair.

He said: ‘It was a very dark and tumultuous experience. I was gobsmacked and in shock for a while, but I’m at a place now where I can talk about it ’cause I was able to use that unpleasant experience and turn it into something positive. ;

‘People were threatening to kill me and my family, to the point where the FBI was getting involved. I got messages saying, “I’m going to find your kids, and I’m going to kill them because you support child murder.”‘

‘The head of security at various studios and the FBI had to examine the threats. It was highly aggressive and really scary.’

Scream 7 director Christopher Landon revealed he had to exit the film after the sacking of Melissa Barrera sparked death threats against him – pictured Ghostface in Scream 2022 

Landon announced his departure from the Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson franchise in December 2023 – and opened up about the abuse he had faced over the film; he is pictured in 2023 

Landon said the film ‘all came tumbling down in an instant’ without Barrera and Ortega and clarified that he did not fire Barrera in response to viral claims it was ‘his doing.’

Landon said he was encouraged to remain as director after the exits and ‘restart’ the film, but ultimately decided to ‘put my efforts into something else where I could feel appreciated and respected.’

Williamson is now directing Scream 7 – which will be helmed by film veterans Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox alongside returning stars Matthew Lillard, Scott Foley and David Arquette. 

Barrera’s career downfall was sparked when she posted statements on Instagram Stories in November 2023 calling the war ‘genocide and ethnic cleansing,’ saying that ‘Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp.’

Spyglᴀss Media Group, the production company behind the upcoming Scream VII, acknowledged Barrera’s exit from the horror franchise in a statement one year ago. 

Spyglᴀss said its position ‘is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.’

Barrera on November 23, 2023 posted a statement on Instagram Stories about her firing.

‘First and foremost I condemn antisemitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people,’ she wrote.

Barrera (top right) was axed from the Scream franchise for remarks she made about the conflict between Israel and Palestine that some deemed antisemitic – with Scream 7 originally set to star her and Jenna Ortega (top left), who also left the project 

Landon said the film ‘all came tumbling down in an instant’ without Barrera and Ortega and clarified that he did not fire Barrera in response to viral claims it was ‘his doing’; seen in 2022

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‘I believe a group of people are NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism,’ she added. ‘I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence, and for peaceful co-existence.

‘I will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom.’

Announcing his exit in December 2023, Landon said: ‘I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago, This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on.’

He added: ‘I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.’ 

Landon, at the time, distanced himself from the firing of Barrera, saying in a since-deleted tweet: ‘Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.’

Ortega’s departure, a decision made by her and her representation team, occurred prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike this summer but was only disclosed last month. 

She reportedly had conflicts due to her Wednesday Season 2 shooting schedule.