Jenna Ortega opened up about her unexpected departure from Scream 7, clarifying that it was not due to pay or scheduling issues as initially reported. She revealed her decision was influenced by the absence of her co-star Melissa Barrera, who was fired from the franchise, and the departure of directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. “The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart,” Ortega told The Cut. “If Scream VII wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me in my career at the time.”
She expressed a desire to distance herself from franchise films and prioritize original stories with new directors. The film faced additional challenges, with Barrera’s dismissal and director Christopher Landon also leaving. The revamped Scream 7, set for a 2026 release, will feature original cast members Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. (EW)
