Jenna Ortega Steps Away from ‘Scream 7’ Due to Wednesday Shooting Commitment

Fans of the Scream franchise may have to brace themselves for some changes in the next installment.

Jenna Ortega, who played a prominent role in Scream VI, is unable to return for the next Scream movie due to scheduling conflicts with the second season of “Wednesday,” according to Deadline. This potential absence could pose a challenge for the franchise, especially after the record-breaking success of Scream VI.

The sixth installment of Scream raked in a whopping $67 million globally, but it marked the first movie in the series without Neve Campbell. Unfortunately, Campbell couldn’t come to an agreement with the producers, leaving fans without the iconic Sidney Prescott character. Now, with Ortega’s absence and Melissa Barrera, who played Ortega’s sister, reportedly being fired from the film, the franchise may face criticism for losing its direction.

Barrera’s dismissal came after some of her past social media posts resurfaced, in which she expressed support for Palestine during their conflict with Israel. These posts generated controversy, and Barrera was let go from the movie. Support for Palestine has become a sensitive issue in recent times, with even Hollywood stars like Susan Sarandon facing consequences for their comments on the matter.

Scream V and Scream VI injected new life into the franchise, breaking records and reinvigorating interest. Scream VI, in particular, performed exceptionally well, becoming the highest-grossing installment domestically in the US and Canada and achieving worldwide numbers not seen since Scream 2. Melissa Barrera’s character, Sam Carpenter, had become an iconic scream queen alongside Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott. However, the franchise might need to adapt to these changes by potentially shifting the focus to other characters, such as Jenna Ortega’s Tara, who has since gained mainstream fame through her role in “Wednesday.”

While the departure of Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera is a significant development, fans eagerly await the next chapter in the Scream saga to see how it navigates these changes and continues to deliver the scares and thrills that have made the franchise a beloved part of horror cinema. Scream (the fifth one!) and Scream VI are currently available on Paramount+, with Scream VII in development.

How do you think the potential absence of Jenna Ortega and the firing of Melissa Barrera will impact the Scream franchise, and what direction do you think the next installment should take to maintain its success and keep fans engaged? Leave us a comment.