Director of ‘Scream 7’ Appears to Violate Agreement in Recent Instagram Update

Following Wes Craven’s death in 2015, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett took the helm for “Scream” (2022) and “Scream VI” (2023).

Back in March 2024, Kevin Williamson, the original writer of the 1996 film, was officially announced as the director for the seventh installment of the popular “Scream” series.

Despite potential confidentiality agreements, Williamson took to Instagram on January 7, posting a picture of a film slate labeled “Day One” to commemorate the beginning of filming for this highly anticipated sequel, expressing his enthusiasm and appreciation for the project.

“I’m not supposed to post about ‘Scream’ and I hope @spyglassmediagr and @paramountpics will forgive me,” Williamson began. “But when you have one of the best days of your life, it’s really hard to keep it to yourself.”

Williamson, who stepped into the director’s chair following controversy surrounding “Scream 7” and its stars Neve Campbell and Melissa Barrera, went on to describe the first day of filming as “extraordinary.” He praised the cast and crew, saying they “brought their ‘A’ game and had my back every step of the way.”

In his heartfelt post, Williamson also paid tribute to the late Wes Craven, the original director of the “Scream” franchise. “I’m so very grateful for this opportunity and to Wes Craven, who was on my mind through it all. The profound impact he has had on my life and career is endless. What a day! I can’t wait for tomorrow!”

The Instagram post has drawn attention for potentially breaching contractual agreements, as directors and crew members are often restricted from revealing details about in-production projects. However, fans have responded enthusiastically, with many expressing their excitement for Campbell’s return as Sidney Prescott and the franchise’s continuation under Williamson’s leadership.

“LOVE YOU KEV! F THE HATERS!” one follower expressed in the comments section.

“Go, KING! I’m so happy for you!” another expressed.

Fans continued to show support for Williams as he begins filming the seventh installment of the franchise, as one Instagram user said, “Congratulations Kevin! You deserve this moment. We have your back!”

“What an exciting year for you, Kevin! Happy to see this happening!” someone else wrote.

Spyglass Media Group and Paramount Pictures have not yet commented on Williamson’s post or whether it will have any implications for the production. Meanwhile, anticipation for “Scream 7” continues to grow as the franchise’s loyal fan base eagerly awaits updates on the next chapter of the iconic slasher series.

While many fans are rallying behind Kevin Williamson as he takes on the role of director for “Scream 7,” some are voicing ongoing criticism of Spyglass Media Group for its decision to fire actress Melissa Barrera from the project.

Barrera, who starred in “Scream” (2022) and “Scream VI” (2023), was dismissed from the franchise after making controversial social media posts that Spyglass deemed “antisemitic.” The production company released a statement addressing the decision, saying:

“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.”

The post that led to Barrera’s termination compared the situation in Gaza to a concentration camp, stating: “Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp. Cornering everyone together, with nowhere to go, no electricity, no water.” She further wrote in all capital letters, “THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.”

The firing sparked intense debate, with some supporting Spyglass’ stance on hate speech, while others viewed Barrera’s dismissal as censorship of her political views.

As Williamson begins his tenure as director, the controversy surrounding Barrera’s firing remains a contentious topic among fans. Many have expressed excitement for the franchise’s continuation, particularly with Neve Campbell’s return as Sidney Prescott, but others are calling for Spyglass to address lingering concerns over their treatment of Barrera.