A boycott of Scream 7 from pro-Palestinian activists appears to have failed as the horror sequel eyes a potentially record-breaking box office debut.
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Fans of the franchise had previously vowed to boycott the movie after Scream star Melissa Barrera was fired in 2023 for posting her support for Palestine following the October 7 attacks in Israel.
However, the boycott seems to have stumbled as Deadline reports that Scream 7 is on track to open with around $30million when it hits theatres on February 27.
If those numbers hold, Scream 7 could have the second highest opening in the 30-year-old franchise's history.
Despite some backlash, the latest sequel has garnered plenty of attention thanks to the return of leading lady Neve Campbell.
Campbell, 52, previously refused to come back to the franchise for 2023's Scream VI due to a pay dispute.
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A boycott of Scream 7 from pro-Palestinian activists appears to have failed as the horror sequel eyes a potentially record-breaking box office debut
The movie, which marks the return of Neve Campbell, is already predicted to open with around $30million when it premieres later this month
Scream 7 also marks the return of original Scream screenwriter Kevin Williamson, who penned Scream 1, 2, and 4. He serves as both writer and director of Scream 7.
Barrera was axed from the sequel in November, 2023, when she shared posts on Instagram accusing the Israeli government of 'genocide and ethnic cleansing' in Gaza and that Gaza was being treated 'like a concentration camp' after Israel cut off water and electricity to the region.
Despite leading human rights groups and multiple independent UN-appointed experts and investigative bodies ruling that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, Barrera was one of Hollywood's first celebrities to speak out about the issue and was fired as a result.
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At the time, Scream's production company Spyglass accused the actress of 'antisemitism' in a strongly-worded statement.
'Spyglass' stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech,' they said in November, 2023.
Barrera had previously led the fifth and sixth instalments of the franchise, which were both major box office hits.
As a result of her firing, fans of the franchise launched an official boycott of Scream 7.
Fans of the franchise had previously vowed to boycott the movie after star Melissa Barrera was fired for voicing her support for Palestine following the October 7 attacks in Israel
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'The only legacy Scream has now is Zionism. Being a Scream fan in this age means defending blatant Zionism, racism and McCarthyism,' one Scream fan posted to X.
'Tell everyone in your life and on your socials why you are boycotting scream 7 and why they should to,' wrote another.
Campbell confirmed in March 2024 that she would reprise her role in the Scream franchise after exiting the film series in a row over her salary.
'Hi all. I'm so excited to announce this news!!! Sidney Prescott is coming back!!!! It's always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the Scream movies,' she wrote on Instagram, at the time.
In addition to Campbell returning, original Scream stars Matthew Lillard, David Arquette, and Courteney Cox are all set to appear in the sequel too.
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The first Scream film hit theaters in December of 1996 and made a massive splash, taking in $173million worldwide on a budget of $14 million.