In a notable development for the “Scream” franchise, Jenna Ortega, who starred as Tara Carpenter alongside Melissa Barrera in the recent sequels, will not be returning for “Scream 7.” This news comes shortly after Barrera’s departure from the upcoming installment of the iconic slasher series.
Ortega’s exit from “Scream 7” is reportedly unrelated to Barrera’s recent dismissal, which was due to controversy surrounding her social media postings about the Hamas-Israel conflict. Instead, Ortega’s departure was discussed prior to an actors’ strike and is attributed to scheduling conflicts. Ortega is set to shoot the second season of Netflix’s “Wednesday” in Ireland, which overlaps with the “Scream 7” production schedule. This scheduling clash necessitates a significant shift in the narrative direction for “Scream 7,” as Ortega and Barrera have been the central leads of the new “Scream” trilogy, playing sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter.
The upcoming “Scream 7” will be directed by Christopher Landon, known for his work on “Happy Death Day” and “Freaky.” Landon also has a strong background in the horror genre, having written several installments of the “Paranormal Activity” franchise. Directors of “Scream” and “Scream VI,” Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Radio Silence), will continue their involvement as executive producers alongside Chad Villella. Landon’s expertise and previous work in the horror genre suggest he has the right sensibilities to guide the “Scream” saga into its next chapter.
With the exits of Barrera and Ortega, “Scream 7” faces the challenge of reimagining its storyline and potentially introducing new characters or elevating existing ones to lead roles. The departure of these key actresses signals a pivotal moment for the franchise, as it must adapt to these significant changes while maintaining the essence of the “Scream” legacy. As the production team recalibrates the story for “Scream 7,” fans and followers of the series are keenly waiting to see how the narrative will evolve in light of these developments.