by Riley Cook
In a surprising turn of events, Jenna Ortega, known for her role as Tara Carpenter in the "Scream" franchise, has officially dropped out of the upcoming "Scream 7."
Image Credit: Slaven Vlasic / Stringer / Getty Images
This announcement comes hot on the heels of her co-star Melissa Barrera's firing from the film due to controversial social media posts about the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, sources confirm that Ortega's departure was unrelated to Barrera's firing and had been in the works for several months, predating the recent SAG-AFTRA strike.
Scheduling Conflicts:
Variety has confirmed that Jenna Ortega's decision to leave "Scream 7" is attributed to scheduling conflicts with her commitment to the second season of "Wednesday," the Netflix series that revolves around the character Wednesday Addams. The shooting schedule for the second season of "Wednesday" is yet to be officially confirmed, adding an element of uncertainty to Ortega's professional calendar.
In addition to her television commitments, Ortega is also juggling filming for Tim Burton's highly anticipated "Beetlejuice 2." The shoot for the sequel was unfortunately disrupted by the SAG-AFTRA strike, and a few more days of filming are required to wrap up the project. These overlapping commitments have led to Ortega's difficult decision to step away from the "Scream 7" production.
Image Credit: Slaven Vlasic / Stringer / Getty Images
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The Melissa Barrera Controversy:
While Ortega's departure comes in the wake of Melissa Barrera's controversial firing, it's crucial to note that the two incidents are not connected. Barrera, who co-starred alongside Ortega as her on-screen sister, was dismissed from the film due to her social media posts supporting Palestine and criticizing Israel. Spyglass Media Group, the producer of "Scream 7," made it clear that they have zero tolerance for antisemitism and hate speech.
Barrera's posts, which accused Israel of "genocide and ethnic cleansing," sparked significant backlash. Spyglass Media Group denounced the statements, emphasizing their commitment to preventing the incitement of hate in any form. The controversy surrounding Barrera's exit has left a void in the "Scream 7" production, with director Christopher Landon expressing his frustration on social media.
Image Credit: Mike Marsland / Contributor / Getty Images
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The Legacy of "Scream":
The "Scream" franchise, revived in 2022, brought back original stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. Ortega and Barrera played pivotal roles in rejuvenating the dormant horror series, introducing new elements and characters. Despite the unexpected exits of both actresses, the franchise is set to continue under the direction of Christopher Landon.
Jenna Ortega's departure from "Scream 7" marks another unexpected turn in the evolving narrative of the franchise. As the film industry grapples with scheduling conflicts, unforeseen disruptions, and the influence of social media controversies, "Scream 7" remains a project in flux, with fans eagerly anticipating how the filmmakers will navigate these challenges and deliver another thrilling installment in the iconic horror series.