In a surprise for Scream fans, Jenna Ortega, a big part of the franchise, is stepping back from Scream 7. Despite rumors connecting her departure to co-star Melissa Barrera’s recent firing over social media posts, it was recently reported that Ortega’s exit was planned for months. Conflicts with filming Wednesday Season 2 and finishing Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2 are the main reasons for Ortega’s decision.
🚨 Jenna Ortega asked her agency to end her contract with the scream franchise, after Melissa Barrero was fired, says Entertainment Tonight.#JusticeForMelissaBarrera #Scream7 pic.twitter.com/pisKd9viTv
— 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 (@UnlHorror_) November 22, 2023
Melissa Barrera’s Controversial Exit: Social Media Posts Lead to Unexpected Departure
On November 21, Spyglass Media quietly dismissed Melissa Barrera from Scream 7 due to controversy around her social media activity. Barrera allegedly shared a post accusing Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing” and reposted content discussing the distortion of the Holocaust. Spyglass Media’s response emphasized a zero-tolerance stance on antisemitism and hate speech, saying Barrera’s views didn’t align with the company’s values. Director Christopher Landon briefly expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision.
Fans Support Jenna Ortega Amid Rumors
When rumors circulated about Jenna Ortega leaving, fans rallied behind her, praising her ‘bravery’ during the social media storm. Despite the strong support, Jenna’s team explained her exit was planned well before the Melissa controversy.
And she did, need a friend like jenna ortega fr pic.twitter.com/H5MNhmVLdk
— ortegay 🥝🎧 (@Roxdk7) November 22, 2023
Is Scream 7 Canceled
With these unexpected changes, fans are wondering whether Scream 7 might be at risk of cancelation or if these departures will just result in recasts. Predicting what’s next is tough. Both stars will be replaced, and this switch could totally change the movie’s vibe. Jenna Ortega, a key factor in Scream 6’s success(making $44M in the US and $67M worldwide), and Melissa Barrera’s firing adds another layer of uncertainty. Stay tuned for updates on what’s happening with Scream 7.
