Barrera's firing in November 2023 ignited significant debate within Hollywood and among fans. The decision by Spyglass Media Group stemmed from social media posts Barrera made concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, which the company deemed to have “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate.” However, Barrera has consistently maintained that her issue lies squarely with Spyglass's leadership, not with the beloved franchise itself.

Speaking out recently, Barrera affirmed her stance, stating, “Not with the company that currently holds the rights.” She elaborated on her positive experiences filming the previous installments, adding, “I love the franchise. I had an amazing time making those movies.” Her primary grievance revolves around the “hate and the difficulty” she endured, which she attributes directly to Spyglass leadership. Barrera asserts that they “made it a point to label me something that I’m not, and they never apologized, even when I was proven right.” This lack of apology, she stressed, is a critical point, making a reconciliation with Spyglass impossible for her. She further emphasized that even with a belated apology, she “wouldn’t go back to work with them.”

The actress's condition for a return is precise: “if the franchise were ever to leave those hands and go into hands that I think honor Wes Craven’s legacy more.” This statement underscores her belief that the current stewardship by Spyglass is not aligned with the creative spirit of the franchise's late co-creator.

Barrera's abrupt exit triggered a significant shake-up for the planned Scream 7. Shortly after her departure, co-star Jenna Ortega also exited the project, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts, though she later hinted at the sequel “all kind of falling apart” in the wake of Barrera's firing. Director Christopher Landon, who was set to helm the seventh installment, subsequently withdrew, citing intense personal pressures and “highly aggressive and really scary” death threats targeting his children. In an effort to stabilize the production, original Scream star Neve Campbell was brought back to reprise her iconic role as Sidney Prescott, with original Scream (1996) writer Kevin Williamson stepping in to direct. Despite these efforts, the franchise has continued to face public scrutiny, with fan boycotts and “Free Palestine” protests occurring outside Scream 7 related events. Barrera's latest comments highlight the deep divisions and ongoing challenges facing the future of the popular horror series.