Jenna Ortega may be a fan of scary movies, but she’s no longer a part of the “Scream 7.”
Following rumors that Ortega was looking to part ways with the Spyglassfilms after her breakout role in Netflix series “Wednesday,” the actress confirmed she will not appear in “Scream 7,” sources tell IndieWire. Deadline first reported the news, citing that Ortega’s contract was being reevaluated prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Ortega is set to film “Wednesday” Season 2 in Ireland from April 2024 into the summer, and that “Scream 7” has a scheduling conflict.
Ortega starred in the fifth “Scream” film as Tara Carpenter, which served as a franchise reboot (meta-ly deemed “requel” in the movie). She reprised the role for “Scream VI.”
Ortega’s announcement comes on the heels of co-star Melissa Barrera, who plays Ortega’s onscreen half-sister, being fired for antisemitic comments that production company Spyglass Entertainment deemed antisemitic. The cast and crew have since spoken out on Barrera’s exit.
Ortega recently starred in movie “Finestkind,” is filming “Wednesday” Season 2, leads A24 movie “Death of a Unicorn” alongside Paul Rudd, and is expected to appear in the fifth and final season of “You.” The former child star further deepens her iconic IP horror roots with Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice 2.”
Additionally, Ortega will star in teacher-student drama “Miller’s Girl” and a yet-untitled A24 project from “Waves” helmer Trey Edward Shults and “The Idol” co-creator Abel Tesfaye; Barry Keoghan co-stars.
Ortega previously called “Scream VI” the goriest installment in the decades-long franchise created by Wes Craven. “I think that this is probably the most aggressive and violent version of Ghostface we’ve ever seen,” Ortega told Entertainment Tonight in 2022.
With “Scream 7” now losing both of his previous lead stars, and the franchise sans Neve Campbell, it’s unclear if the storyline will revolve around supporting characters, twins played by Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding Jr., or rely on the return of first final girl Sidney (Campbell). The character was referenced in “Scream VI.”
