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Landon clarifies, “I had no control over the situation at all. I did not fire Melissa Barrera, and I decided I didn’t want to give any part of myself to that because the hate and abuse really spoiled it for me.” The online mobs mistook his role as director for studio-level decision-making, leading to false accusations and hostility. He recounts receiving messages threatening harm to his children, requiring security and FBI attention, which underscores the severity of the toxic environment surrounding the franchise's recent controversies.
The Domino Effect of Firing Melissa Barrera
Barrera's unexpected firing sparked a cascade of issues for the film’s production and continuity.