Melissa Barrera, star of Vida and In the Heights, has been tapped for a key role in Paramount’s upcoming Scream 5. Wes Craven’s slasher series and its leading ladies have haunted audiences since the first Scream was released in 1996, and its newest installment will undoubtedly look to do the same. The official Scream 5 plot synopsis reads: “A new installment of the Scream horror franchise will follow a woman returning to her hometown to try to find out who has been committing a series of vicious crimes.” Ready or Not filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are set to direct the film, which is eyeing a 2021 release (COVID-19 pandemic notwithstanding).
When Scream 4 failed to deliver on its hopes of being a major box office hit, scoring a total gross of only $97.1 million, plans for a fifth film – with the late Craven possibly set to direct – were shelved and seemingly shuttered. But the franchise’s relaunch, which had long been rumored to be in the works and was reported as recently as last November, was finally confirmed to be in development at Spyglass Media and Paramount in March of this year. That was also when Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett were confirmed as the project’s directors. Reports just last week confirmed that original Scream star Courteney Cox will return, joining the previously announced David Arquette; franchise star Neve Campbell has not yet signed on, but said earlier this year she was in talks.
Per Deadline, those originals will be joined by Melissa Barrera, who will be playing a new character, though details of her “key” role are currently being kept under wraps. Perhaps she will play the unknown “woman” from the plot synopsis. This casting serves as somewhat of a milestone for the franchise and now certainly the actress: She’ll be playing the franchise’s first new character in over a decade, as well as its first-ever leading actor of color.
Perhaps the most significant recent credit for Barrera is her lead role in the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit, In the Heights, which was directed by Crazy Rich Asians’ Jon M. Chu. With that project’s release date pushed to next summer, and Scream 5 slated for a 2021 release, next year is looking like a possible breakout year for Barrera.” She’s also slated to star in the titular role of Carmen, a modern-day reimagining of the famous opera directed by Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied and scored by Moonlight’s Nicholas Britell.
While Barrera may not be a household name, it feels as though she’s certainly on her way. It’s one thing to build a resume of supporting roles in small projects here and there, but it’s another, much more significant thing to star in an adaptation of a Miranda-movie musical and a Scream sequel. It’s a savvy decision, one that may not scream (pun intended) as vital to the typical moviegoer. But a new character played by a young, talented actress is certainly refreshing as Scream 5 looks to further – or change – the direction of the franchise.
