Matthew Lillard expressed regret and shame during a Q&A session at an Austin, Texas screening for the original "Scream" film, admitting he was on the "wrong side of history" for returning to the franchise after Melissa Barrera was fired from "Scream 7." Barrera's firing came following her social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict, which included accusations against Israel and references to Palestinian rights. Lillard’s comments reflect broader discussions about artists facing career consequences for taking political stances on social media.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Matthew Lillard expressed regret at appearing in "Scream 7" because he felt "embarrassed" and was on the "wrong side of history," referencing Melissa Barrera's firing from the franchise. In June 2023, Barrera, who starred in "Scream 6", was dismissed by Spyglass Entertainment for posting support for Palestine and criticizing Israeli actions during the conflict with Hamas. The studio accused her comments of being "hate speech" and antisemitic. Lillard acknowledged his oversight when agreeing to return to the franchise without considering Barrera's situation, though he still likes appearing in the movie despite it potentially not having been a good idea.
Written for “Matthew Lillard Scream Franchise Regret” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.65 for article 16777 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-17
Matthew Lillard expressed regret on Tuesday over his decision to film “Scream 7” after actor Melissa Barrera was fired from the franchise over her social media about the Israel-Gaza war, saying he was “on the wrong side of history.”
asserted
he → express → history
Video showed the actor speaking to fans during a Q&A at a 30th anniversary screening for the original “Scream” at a Regal movie theater in Austin, Texas.
asserted
actor → show → Austin
It’s unclear what the question was, as the video only shows Lillard speaking, but it appears to be related to celebrities taking stances on political topics.
uncertain
celebrities → ’ → topics
Lillard described it as a “great question” and referred to the ongoing situation with singer Ed Sheeran, who is facing backlash after venues pressured him to drop Macklemore from his tour over his pro-Palestinian remarks.
“I don’t think it’s easy all the time,” he said, before referring to Barrera.
asserted
he → describe → Barrera
Barrera starred in “Scream 6” and was expected to return for the seventh installment of the hit horror franchise, but was fired in 2023.
asserted
Barrera → star → 2023
Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the film, confirmed it had dropped Barrera after she shared Instagram posts condemning Israel.
asserted
she → confirm → Israel
According to a Variety report, Barrera’s post included references to Israel as a “colonized” land and reshared posts that accused Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing.”
uncertain
that → accord → genocide
Another post said that “Western media only shows the (Israeli) side.”
asserted
media → say → side
“Why do they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself,” the post reportedly said.
uncertain
post → do → yourself
Spyglass Media Group told Variety in a statement that it has zero tolerance for “antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form.”
asserted
it → tell → form
Barrera initially declined to comment, but later told the Associated Press that she was “grateful” for everything that had happened and felt it was an “awakening.”
asserted
it → decline → everything
“Melissa Barrera, who’s a beautiful actor, was fired for what she said after the whole Palestinian— what started happening in Israel,” Lillard said.
asserted
Lillard → ’ → Israel
“It’s really f---ing bulls--- and really hard and she’s on the right side of history.”
asserted
she → ’ → history
“But the whole world should have popped up and said, ‘She’s right.’
asserted
She → pop → ?
And they didn’t.
asserted
they → do → ?
And that’s brutal,” he said.
asserted
he → ’ → ?
The “Scream” actor’s remarks come days after rapper Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s tour over a speech and performance centered on his pro-Palestinian views.
asserted
Macklemore → come → views
Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, said Monday that venues threatened to cancel Sheeran’s shows in response to the rapper saying “Free Palestine” on stage.
asserted
rapper → say → stage
Among those involved was New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, who Macklemore accused of organizing a boycott against the rapper.
asserted
Macklemore → involve → rapper
While talking about the consequences Barrerra suffered, Lillard said, “And when they start coming after your job, sometimes things are worth it.”
asserted
things → talk → job
He noted that he “got called out” for returning to the “Scream” franchise in the same film Barrera was set to star in.
asserted
Barrera → note → film
Lillard described himself as being on “the wrong side of history” for that choice.
asserted
Lillard → describe → choice
“I feel bad about that, I feel ashamed about that,” Lillard said.
asserted
Lillard → feel → that
“Because in that moment I was so excited to go back that I didn’t really think about Melissa and that journey and didn’t say no.
asserted
I → go → Melissa
And I’m embarrassed, and that’s the truth.”
asserted
that → ’m → ?
“I still like being in the movie, but it may not have been the best idea,” he said.
uncertain
he → like → movie
The Aporia
