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Christopher Landon, the director initially tapped for “Scream 7,” has stepped away from the project following alarming death threats directed at him and his family.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Landon discussed the intense backlash he faced after the exits of original cast members Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. He described the experience as “very dark and tumultuous,” noting that the hostility he encountered was so severe that it prompted the involvement of the FBI. “People were threatening to kill me and my family,” he stated, explaining that security personnel from various studios and federal authorities evaluated the threats he received. “It was highly aggressive and really scary,” he added.
When Landon was assigned to lead “Scream 7,” he appeared to be a fitting candidate given his successful track record with horror-comedy films such as “Happy Death Day” and “Freaky.” Following the positive reception of “Scream” in 2022 and “Scream VI” in 2023, the franchise was thriving, setting a promising stage for the next installment.
However, turmoil struck when Barrera was dismissed in November 2023 over her social media statements regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which led to considerable public outcry. The subsequent announcement of Ortega’s departure from the project followed swiftly, compounding the chaos surrounding production.
“It was devastating to suddenly cancel everything,” Landon shared. He recounted receiving disturbing messages that included threats against his children, which exacerbated his distress. It’s crucial to note that Landon was not involved in Barrera’s firing, a misconception that led to further vitriol directed at him. “I did not fire her,” he clarified, expressing that he had no influence in the decision-making process. “In the absence of people understanding how Hollywood works, the fans were like, ‘That’s the guy,’ and so they came for me,” he explained.
In December 2023, Landon publicly declared his decision to step down from directing “Scream 7,” stating, “This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare.” He later revealed that while producers wanted him to stay on, he chose to walk away due to the overwhelming hostility he encountered. “It was not worth it… I would rather put my efforts into something else,” he said, emphasizing the negative impact the situation had on his passion for the project.
Ortega confirmed in an interview with The Cut that her departure from the film was not related to scheduling conflicts or financial issues. Instead, she indicated that it was influenced by the tension surrounding Barrera’s firing and her attachment to the original team. “If ‘Scream 7’ wasn’t going to be with that team… then it didn’t seem like the right move for me,” she remarked.
Ultimately, Landon’s role was filled by Kevin Williamson, the original creator and screenwriter of the “Scream” series, marking the first time he took on a directorial role within the franchise. This decision sparked interest among fans who are eager to see how Williamson will interpret the series moving forward.
Additionally, Landon mentioned that he will not be pursuing a planned remake of “Arachnophobia” due to creative differences, and he is instead preparing to release a new thriller titled “Drop,” featuring Meghann Fahy as a lead.
Reflecting on his situation, Landon expressed no ill will towards Williamson’s appointment, focusing instead on the positive path forward. “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,'” he concluded.
Scream 7 is set to reach theaters on February 27, 2026.
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www.thewrap.com