During an interview with The Cut, Jenna Ortega disclosed that her decision to leave the “Scream” series was not due to a scheduling conflict as initially believed. Ortega portrayed Tara Carpenter in 2022’s “Scream” and 2023’s “Scream VI” but left the seventh installment in November 2023. Contrary to previous reports citing a “shooting schedule” issue, Ortega clarified, “It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling.” She explained, “The Melissa situation was unfolding, and the project seemed to be unraveling. If ‘Scream VII’ wasn’t going to involve the same directors and team I had grown to cherish, it didn’t align with my career path at the time.”
The “Melissa situation” refers to Ortega’s co-star Melissa Barrera, who was dismissed from “Scream 7” following controversial social media posts related to Israel and Palestine. Ortega’s exit announcement came shortly after Barrera’s termination, sparking speculation that her departure was in solidarity with Barrera. Ortega’s recent interview with The Cut confirms this assumption.
Barrera was let go from “Scream 7” due to her social media comments supporting Palestine and criticizing Israel for alleged atrocities. Producer Spyglass Media Group emphasized their zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech in a statement to Variety, denouncing antisemitism and hate incitement.
Following Barrera’s dismissal, director Christopher Landon expressed his discontent on social media, eventually stepping down from the project. Kevin Williamson, the original screenwriter of the franchise, took over directing duties for “Scream 7,” with fan-favorite Neve Campbell returning to the series. Meanwhile, Ortega delved into her successful ventures, including the second season of her popular Netflix series “Wednesday” and the box office hit “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”
Reflecting on her career choices, Ortega shared, “I’ve been fortunate to join several franchises, contributing to their legacies. However, I’m prioritizing collaborations with emerging directors and original narratives. My unconventional roles might raise eyebrows, but I am drawn to fresh scripts and new voices, like A24’s ‘Death of Unicorn.’ Supporting original content excites me, and I am eager to be a part of such projects.”
For the complete interview with Jenna Ortega, visit The Cut.
