MOVIE NEWS – Jenna Ortega has clarified her true reasons for exiting the Scream franchise, debunking earlier speculations regarding salary disputes or scheduling conflicts.

Following the successful revival of the franchise with Scream (2022), Scream VI reinforced its popularity with solid reviews and a worldwide gross of $160 million. The stage was set for a seventh installment, but the project stumbled significantly when Melissa Barrera, star of the previous two films, was dismissed by Spyglass Media Group after sharing pro-Palestinian social media content deemed antisemitic. Shortly thereafter, Jenna Ortega also announced her departure, initially attributed to scheduling conflicts with Wednesday Season 2, and later rumored to involve a salary disagreement. Now Ortega has publicly clarified the actual motivation behind her exit from the franchise.

In a recent conversation with The Cut, Ortega explicitly denied that financial or scheduling issues influenced her decision, explaining: “It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling. Everything around Melissa was happening at that moment, and things were essentially falling apart.” At the time of her decision, the original directors had already exited the sequel, first replaced by Christopher Landon, who himself subsequently stepped down. Ortega stated: “If Scream 7 wasn’t going to involve the directors and people I had grown close to, it simply didn’t feel like the right decision for my career at the time.”

‘Scream 7’ Nearly Fell Apart After Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega Exited

Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega portrayed sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter in the previous two installments, characters positioned centrally for what was meant to conclude a new trilogy while still honoring the original cast. Barrera’s firing provoked strong backlash among fans, who criticized the studio for dismissing her over social media posts widely perceived as non-antisemitic. Spyglass’s controversial decision likely came under considerable external pressure due to the sensitive nature of the political context, but it nonetheless disappointed fans.

When Ortega announced her departure, many fans interpreted it as an act of solidarity with Barrera. Official statements cited scheduling conflicts immediately, but rumors quickly emerged about salary negotiations, given Ortega’s increased star power since the 2022 release. Ultimately, Ortega’s clarification suggests her decision was primarily motivated by integrity, aligning with directors and colleagues she trusted rather than any financial or logistical demands.

Despite losing two central actors and a director, Scream 7 eventually recovered. Christopher Landon, the director chosen to replace original filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, later described the project as an unexpectedly difficult experience. Series creator Kevin Williamson ultimately assumed leadership of the new installment, bringing back Neve Campbell after her very public financial dispute with Spyglass. Returning cast members Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown from the previous films confirm continuity within the ongoing narrative.

Source: MovieWeb