Christopher Landon, the initial director for Scream 7, recently shared his thoughts on losing what he described as his “dream job”amid significant controversy surrounding the film. The project has faced tumult since its inception, particularly after the departure of directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett due to scheduling conflicts. This led to Landon’s appointment as director. The situation was further complicated following the firing of franchise star Melissa Barrera, who portrayed Samantha Carpenter, reportedly due to comments she made regarding the Gaza war.
In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Landon reflected on the challenges he faced during this process. Despite his upcoming film, Drop, set to release on April 11, Landon candidly discussed the complexities surrounding his exit from the Scream franchise:
“Scream 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. And that was Drop.”
“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.”
Landon clarified that it was Spyglass Media who made the decision to fire Barrera, not him. Unfortunately, this left him and his family vulnerable to threats and harassment. Although he received encouragement from the studio to continue with Scream 7, the negative atmosphere surrounding his involvement prompted him to step away. Expressing his well-wishes for the franchise’s future under the direction of Kevin Williamson, Landon elaborated on his decision to depart:
“I did not fire her. A lot of people think I had something to do with it, and it was not my doing. I had no control of the situation at all. I think in the absence of people understanding how Hollywood works and what the hierarchy is, the fans were like, ‘that’s the guy.’ And so they came for me, knives out.”
“They wanted me to continue on. They basically said, ‘You can restart it. You can figure it out.’ But the amount of abuse that I had to deal with—I decided I didn’t want to give any part of myself to that. For me, it was not worth it. I would rather put my efforts into something else, where I could feel appreciated and respected. The hate and abuse really spoiled it for me, and I lost my love for the idea of going forward.”
“In the midst of all the chaos, I was grieving the loss of one of my dream jobs. I went through all the stages—I was shocked, I was sad, and then I got angry. To be a part of this legacy, it was really hard to let it go.”
“There’s no resentment at all. What else are you going to do? Wallow? Then they win. My best revenge was making something cool, and I feel like I did with Drop. My revenge wasn’t rooted in pain or anger; it was rooted in joy and moving forward… I want Scream to succeed. Kevin probably made a banger of a movie, because he knows it better than anybody. It’s going to be awesome.”
Understanding Landon’s Remarks on the Scream 7 Controversies
Ortega Addresses Her Departure
Following Landon’s insights, Jenna Ortega, who was also part of Scream’s recent installments, spoke out about her own exit from the franchise. Initially attributed to scheduling conflicts, speculation arose that her departure was connected to Barrera’s firing. Ortega later confirmed that her decision was influenced by the dismissal of her co-star and the absence of the original team from the project.
Despite major shifts in the cast, including the return of Neve Campbell alongside veteran actors like Matthew Lillard, there remains excitement among fans. Co-stars Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown are also set to reprise their roles, maintaining a link to the reboot’s storyline. Although principal photography is expected to conclude soon, Scream 7 is anticipated to make its debut on February 26, 2026.
Evaluating the Future of Scream 7 and Franchise Revival
The Stakes are High
The involvement of Kevin Williamson, the original screenwriter for the first installment in the series, serves as a significant turning point for Scream 7. With returning characters from earlier films, anticipation is high among the franchise’s loyal fanbase. However, significant risks accompany these changes. While the film is poised for success, it remains uncertain whether it can effectively propel the franchise into a new realm. Had Landon remained at the helm, the vision for Scream 7 could have been markedly different, but fans of his work can still look forward to the release of Drop.
Source: Vanity Fair