The highly-anticipated Scream VII has found itself in the midst of controversy following Jenna Ortega’s unexpected departure, sparking rumours that it might be linked to the dismissal of co-star Melissa Barrera due to her social media posts on the Israel-Gaza conflict. However, recent reports clarify that Ortega’s exit is unrelated to Barrera’s departure or any request to terminate her Scream contract.
Jenna Ortega an American actress , renowned for her significant role in filling theatres for Scream VI and Wednesday , has been a constant presence at various events, often seen mingling with celebrities. The actress is known for her vibrant social media presence, frequently sharing glimpses of her glamorous encounters.
Contrary to initial speculations, Deadline reports that discussions about Ortega leaving the project occurred before the actors’ strike this summer. The primary reason behind Ortega’s absence from Scream VII is said to be scheduling conflicts with her commitments to two other major projects, namely “Wednesday” and “Beetlejuice.” Specifically, Ortega’s decision is driven by a scheduling conflict with Season 2 of “Wednesday,” the upcoming Netflix series directed by Tim Burton.
Melissa Barrera faced swift repercussions for her social media posts, where she criticized media coverage and the Israel-Gaza conflict, drawing parallels to a concentration camp and condemning what she termed as genocide and ethnic cleansing. Spyglass Media, the studio behind the Scream franchise, promptly responded, expressing zero tolerance for antisemitism and hate speech, resulting in Barrera’s removal from the cast.
Amidst the unfolding controversy, Scream VII director Christopher Landon shared his perspective on X, stating, “This is my statement 💔 Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.” However, the tweet has since been deleted, adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing saga.
As the details surrounding Scream VII continue to unravel, the industry and fans alike are left to navigate the complex interplay of scheduling conflicts, social media controversies, and the evolving dynamics within film production. Ortega’s departure, while unrelated to the social media controversy, adds an unexpected twist to the narrative, leaving questions about the future of the film and the dynamics within the cast.