Scream 7 Premiere Descends into Chaos Amid Pro-Palestine Protest
The highly anticipated premiere of Scream 7 was thrown into disarray on Wednesday evening when a vocal pro-Palestine protest erupted outside Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. As franchise stalwarts including Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell gracefully navigated the red carpet, activists gathered on the sidewalk brandishing signs and chanting slogans, casting a shadow over the glamorous event.
Protest Targets Hollywood Silence and Star's Dismissal
The demonstration was organized by groups including Entertainment Labor for Palestine, Codepink LA, and Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles. Protestors held placards with messages such as 'Paramount whitewashes genocide' and 'Paramount has a BLACKLIST of actors who criticize Israel.' Their core grievance centered on what they described as the 'silencing of pro-Palestinian voices' within the film industry, with a specific focus on the controversial firing of former Scream star Melissa Barrera.
Barrera was removed from the seventh installment by production company Spyglass Media Group following a series of social media posts she made expressing support for Palestinians during the Israel–Hamas conflict. In a statement, Spyglass asserted it had 'zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form.' The fallout continued when co-star Jenna Ortega exited the project just a day later. Ortega later clarified that her departure was not due to pay or scheduling conflicts, as initially speculated, but was significantly influenced by Barrera's dismissal and the subsequent exit of the film's original directors.
Director's Response and Box Office Resilience
Scream 7 director Kevin Williamson addressed the protest during the premiere, telling The Hollywood Reporter, 'I saw them and my heart just sort of stopped.' He added, '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.'
Despite calls to boycott the film and Paramount, the protest appears to have had minimal impact on the horror sequel's commercial prospects. Industry projections indicate Scream 7 is on track to earn approximately $60 million globally in its opening weekend. This figure could secure the second-best opening in the franchise's three-decade history, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the slasher series.
Red Carpet Fashion Amidst the Turmoil
Inside the venue, the protest's chants were reportedly barely audible, allowing the premiere's fashion moments to shine. Courteney Cox made a striking appearance in a slim black single-breasted suit that revealed a lacy black top, paired with flared slacks and pointy black heels. Neve Campbell opted for a chic androgynous look, wearing a gray double-breasted suit unbuttoned over an icy blue satin shirt, a black tie, and sparkly heels.
Other notable attendees included:
- David Arquette, Cox's ex-husband and a series veteran, in a sleek black zip-up jacket and matching trousers.
- Ava Phillippe, daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, in a snakeskin-print spaghetti-strap dress.
- Anna Camp in a beige dress with red organ embroidery and fringe resembling blood.
- Joel McHale keeping it casual in corduroy pants and a sweater vest.
- Original franchise killers Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich, who posed with a Ghostface costume.
- Isabel May, who plays Campbell's daughter, in a black off-the-shoulder minidress.
The evening underscored the complex intersection of entertainment, politics, and free speech, leaving a memorable mark on the Scream franchise's legacy.
