Jenna Ortega Reportedly Exits Scream 7
Jenna Ortega exits the Scream franchise following the termination of Melissa Barrera by Spyglass The decision to part ways with Ortega comes just a day after Barrera's departure from the horror project
Both Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega have reportedly exited the Scream franchise, with Barrera being fired by Spyglass from the upcoming Scream VII due to social media comments about the Israel/Palestine war. Deadline has also reported that Jenna Ortega will not be returning. Christopher Landon is still the director, but Spyglass's future plans are uncertain.
Sources close to the report assert that Ortega's departure is unrelated to Barrera's firing. According to them, Ortega's representatives had notified Spyglass prior to the actors' strike that the actress would not be returning. Over the past year, Ortega has gained prominence and received an Emmy nomination for her role in Netflix's Wednesday.
Multiple sources claim that the actress either did not have a deal or, when renegotiating her option, requested what the movie company deemed as too high of a salary. Spyglass had refused to bring back original franchise star Neve Campbell after she requested a significant raise for Scream VI, resulting in this being the first movie in the series without her appearance.
Barrera and Ortega have played sisters in the film since 2022’s Scream and were seen as a lynchpin for the franchise.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Scream franchise, I am deeply saddened by the news that Jenna Ortega will not be returning for Scream 7. Ortega's portrayal of Tara Carpenter in Scream (2022) was a standout performance, and I was excited to see her character's further development in the upcoming sequel. Her departure, coupled with the recent firing of Melissa Barrera, leaves the future of the franchise uncertain.
Ortega's departure is reportedly due to a salary dispute, which is a disappointing development. It is understandable that actors should be compensated fairly for their work, but it is also important for movie studios to be mindful of their budgets. The Scream franchise has been a successful one, but it is not immune to the financial pressures facing the film industry. I hope that Spyglass Media Group and Ortega's representatives can come to an agreement that allows her to return for future Scream films.
