From ‘Scream’ Firing to ‘Abigail’ Chills: Melissa Barrera’s Fearless Return
Melissa Barrera has proven that it pays off when your heart is in the right place. Two months after being fired from the “Scream” franchise for her comments in support of Gaza, Universal has released the new trailer for “Abigail,” starring the Latina star.
Paradoxically, Universal revealed that Barrera would star in the film shortly after former “Scream VI” directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett were signed on to the project.
Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillet were responsible for reviving the franchise with their 2022 film, starring Barrera opposite Jenna Ortega.
Before Barrera’s dismissal, both had already been signed on for “Abigail.”
The following month, both Barrera’s Scream co-star Jenna Ortega and Scream VII director Christopher Landon dropped out of the project as well.
Melissa Barrera returns to the horror genre
“Abigail” follows the kidnapping of a 12-year-old ballerina, daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Her kidnappers, including Barrera, intend to collect $50 million for her ransom. While the ballerina is held captive in an isolated mansion, they realize she is no ordinary girl.
In the trailer released last January 11, you can see the best way to kill the young girl who turns out to be a kind of vampire.
“What are we talking about? Like an Ann Rice or a ‘True Blood’? You know, ‘Twilight’?” asks Kathryn Newton’s character.
Joining Barrera are Dan Stevens, Kevin Durand, Newton, the late Angus Cloud, William Catlett, and Giancarlo Esposito. Alisha Weir plays Abigail.
Fans applaud Barrera’s return
Melissa Barrera did not mince words when it came to taking a stand for the Palestinian cause and against Israel’s atrocities in Gaza.
“First and foremost, I condemn Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people,” she wrote in a story on Instagram after being fired for alleged “anti-Semitic” comments.
She added, “As a Latina, a proud Mexicana, I feel the responsibility of having a platform that allows me the privilege of being heard, and therefore, I have tried to use it to raise awareness about issues I care about and to lend my voice to those in need.”
Since then, the actress has continued to be vocal about a ceasefire and peace in Gaza.
And her fans have been celebrating her return to the screen out loud.
“I will support everything you do,” wrote one user on Barrera’s post of the “Abigail” trailer. “You have integrity and courage for speaking out against the genocide in Gaza. I respect you for that.”
Another wrote: “We need to show up for this movie so we can stand behind Melissa.”
“Abigail” will hit theaters on April 19. And we can’t wait!
