Jenna Ortega leaves 'Scream 7', following Barrera's exit

This announcement follows the recent departure of Melissa Barrera from the horror franchise, who was let go due to her controversial social media posts about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Ortega's decision to exit "Scream 7" was made independently of Barrera's situation and had been considered for several months, particularly in light of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Additionally, Ortega is involved in the final stages of shooting for Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice 2," which was also affected by the strike.

Ortega and Barrera played the roles of sisters Tara and Sam Carpenter in the 2022 reboot of "Scream" and its sequel "Scream VI," revitalizing the iconic horror series. The seventh installment was announced earlier this year with Christopher Landon as the director. However, Barrera's recent termination was a significant development, as Spyglass Media Group, the producer of "Scream," issued a statement condemning her social media activity for inciting hate and spreading misinformation about sensitive historical issues.

Director Christopher Landon briefly reacted to these developments on social media but quickly removed his statement.

The "Scream" series, known for its blend of horror and mystery, welcomed new faces like Mason Gooding Jr. and Jasmine Savoy Brown in its recent revival while seeing the return of original stars such as Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. Campbell, however, declined to participate in "Scream 7" due to a pay dispute, leaving the door open for a potential future return. The latest film ended on a positive note for Ortega and Barrera's characters, overcoming their adversities and triumphing over the Ghostface killer.