Skeet Ulrich, the actor who portrayed Billy Loomis in Wes Craven’s 1996 horror hit and its 2022 and 2023 sequels, has stated he will not return to the franchise because his character’s narrative arc remains unresolved following the dismissal of co-star Melissa Barrera.
In an interview with US Weekly, Ulrich explained that the connection between his character and Barrera’s Sam Carpenter—revealed in “Scream VI” to be his daughter—was central to his portrayal. “Without Melissa Barrera and Sam Loomis, there’s no Billy Loomis,” Ulrich said. He noted that while producers had discussed completing a three-film storyline with him, the opportunity was cut short after Barrera’s departure.
Barrera was removed from the series in 2023 by Spyglass Media Group after she faced backlash for social media posts criticizing Israel during the war in Gaza. At the time, the production company issued a statement asserting a “zero tolerance” policy for antisemitism and hate speech, claiming Barrera’s comments crossed into incitement.
The firing triggered significant fallout within the cast. Jenna Ortega, who played Torres, announced she would not return for the upcoming “Scream 7.” Neither Barrera nor Ulrich appeared in the latest installment, which features Matthew Lillard, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Mason Gooding.
Ulrich’s decision aligns with growing remorse among some cast members regarding their participation in the recent film. Last month, during a screening celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original “Scream,” Lillard expressed regret over his involvement in the sequel.
“I went back to do ‘Scream,’ and I got called out. And I’m like, ‘Oh, fuck. That’s brutal,’” Lillard said. “I feel bad about that. I feel ashamed about that. Because in that moment I was so excited to go back, I didn’t really think about Melissa and that journey. I didn’t say no. I’m embarrassed; that’s the truth… I blew that. I’m on the wrong side of history for that.”
Lillard added that while he still enjoys being part of the original film, he admitted joining “Scream 7” may not have been the best decision given the circumstances surrounding Barrera’s exit.
Lillard’s apology is interesting. It shows the cast felt the toxicity on set, even if they stayed silent initially.
Makes sense. A father-daughter dynamic without the daughter just breaks the whole emotional core of Billy’s return.