Jenna Ortega Reveals the Real Reason for Leaving ‘Scream 7’

Jenna Ortega has explained that her exit from ‘Scream 7’ was not because of schedule issues as was previously thought.

Melissa Barrera, who costarred with Ortega in ‘Scream 5’ and ‘Scream 6’, was unexpectedly kicked out of ‘Scream 7’ in 2023 after posting on social media that she supported Palestine.  Ortega also announced her departure after Barrera was fired, with early reports citing scheduling issues as the reason.

But Ortega has now revealed that her decision to leave had less to do with her availability and more to do with the entire direction of the movie.  She clarified that the project no longer felt like the appropriate match for her after Barrera was fired and Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, the directors of ‘Scream 6’, left.  She stated that the major changes in the creative team, which left the project feeling insecure, were what ultimately led her to make the decision rather than compensation or timing.

Image Courtesy: jennaortega/ Instagram

 Neve Campbell, who missed ‘Scream 6’ because of a financial disagreement, was announced to return to lead the next sequel after Ortega and Barrera left the movie.  In addition, after several filmmakers left the project, franchise creator Kevin Williamson was hired as the director.

Courtney Cox and Neve Campbell, two franchise veterans, will return in ‘Scream 7’, which is scheduled for release in February 2026.  Although his role in the original ‘Scream’ movie was assumed to be dead, Matthew Lillard is also scheduled to make an appearance, but specifics are still unknown.

 Furthermore, rumors have been circulating that, despite his seeming demise in ‘Scream’ (2022), David Arquette's character Dewey would possibly be returning.

–Farheen Ali