Matthew Lillard Says He’s ‘Ashamed’ of Returning to ‘Scream 7’ After Melissa Barrera’s Firing

Matthew Lillard’s comeback as Stu Macher felt like one of the more unexpected treats for longtime ‘Scream’ fans, marking his first time back in the role since being presumed dead in the 1996 original. After nearly three decades away, his return for ‘Scream 7‘ was framed as a nostalgic full-circle moment for a franchise celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.

That excitement, however, has recently given way to something far more complicated. Lillard opened up about his mixed feelings on the decision during a Tuesday night Q&A session for a ‘Scream’ 30th anniversary screening, responding candidly after a fan asked about the difficulty of speaking out on contentious political issues as a public figure.

During that conversation, Lillard turned the discussion toward former co-star Melissa Barrera, who was fired from what would have been her third ‘Scream’ film after sharing social media posts expressing support for the Palestinian cause and criticizing Israeli actions during the Israel-Hamas war. Reflecting on his own choice to return to the franchise afterward, Lillard admitted, “I’m on the wrong side of history for that.”

Lillard didn’t stop there, going further to say he felt genuine shame over how excited he’d been to rejoin the franchise without fully considering what Barrera had gone through. He also criticized the broader entertainment industry’s response at the time, arguing that more people should have publicly stood behind her rather than staying silent while her career opportunities reportedly dried up in the aftermath.

@cocteautriplets He took accountability and had an uncomfortable conversation #edsheeran #matthewlillard #scream #scarymovie ♬ original sound – 🦋

Barrera’s exit from ‘Scream 7’ traces back to late 2023, when production company Spyglass dropped her from the film following a series of posts criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza and calling for a ceasefire. Spyglass stated at the time that it held “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form,” while Barrera maintained that her posts came from a place of advocacy and emphasized that silence wasn’t an option for her.

The fallout extended well beyond Barrera’s own departure. Director Christopher Landon exited the project shortly after, and co-star Jenna Ortega also left the franchise, a decision originally attributed to scheduling conflicts with her Netflix series ‘Wednesday’ before she later confirmed the real reasoning traced back to the situation surrounding Barrera and the departing creative team.

That creative overhaul ultimately led to a significant pivot for the franchise, recentering the story around Neve Campbell’s original final girl, Sidney Prescott, with her daughter Tatum, played by Isabel May, becoming the target of a new Ghostface killer. Original franchise writer Kevin Williamson returned to co-write and direct the seventh installment, bringing back several legacy cast members including Lillard alongside Campbell.

Lillard made clear during the Q&A that his decision to return wasn’t something he took lightly in hindsight, acknowledging that he didn’t say no when the opportunity came his way, even as he recognized the complicated timing surrounding Barrera’s exit. He also connected his comments to his broader approach to public advocacy, noting his own experience standing up for issues involving his children in the queer community and speaking out against ICE, while acknowledging that taking those stances isn’t always easy.

The first trailer for ‘SCREAM 7’ has been released.

In theaters on February 27, 2026. pic.twitter.com/MWcjTaZ32s

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 30, 2025

Representatives for Barrera did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lillard’s remarks. With ‘Scream 7’ now out and the franchise having moved forward without her, Lillard’s comments offer a rare, unfiltered look at how at least one returning cast member has continued to grapple with the fallout years later.

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