Actress Jenna Ortega has broken her silence regarding her exit from the upcoming horror film “Scream VII.” In a recent interview with The Cut, Ortega clarified that her decision to leave the slasher franchise was not influenced by financial considerations or scheduling conflicts, but rather stemmed from a turbulent situation involving co-star Melissa Barrera.

Context Behind the Departure

Ortega disclosed that the circumstances surrounding Barrera had an impact on her own decision. “The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart,” she stated, reflecting on the ongoing turbulence within the franchise.

Controversies Surrounding the Cast

In November 2023, Melissa Barrera was terminated from the project due to her controversial remarks on social media regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Barrera faced accusations of anti-Semitism, which she has adamantly denied. In an interview with The Times, she expressed the difficulty of being labeled negatively, saying, “It wasn’t easy to be labeled as something so horrible when I knew that wasn’t the case.” She also mentioned that this situation led to some professional opportunities being rescinded but held on to her faith that things would eventually turn around for her.

Ortega and Barrera’s Exit

Following Barrera’s dismissal, Ortega announced her departure from “Scream VII.” Initially, it was reported by Deadline that her reasons were linked to a scheduling conflict with the filming of the second season of her Netflix series “Wednesday.” However, Ortega has now confirmed that the turmoil stemming from Barrera’s situation played a significative role in her decision.

Director’s Resignation and Franchise Evolution

Shortly after the exits of both leading actress and her co-star, director Christopher Landon also stepped down from his role in the project. He expressed his disappointment on social media, noting, “This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare.”

Ortega added, “If ‘Scream VII’ wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me in my career at the time.”

Future of the Scream Franchise

The “Scream” series, which began with its original release in 1996 directed by Wes Craven, is set to continue with a new creative direction. In March 2024, screenwriter Kevin Williamson announced on Instagram that he would take over directing duties for “Scream VII.” He expressed excitement about continuing the franchise and confirmed that original cast member Neve Campbell, who plays Sidney Prescott, would be returning for the new installment.

Williamson remarked, “I never would have predicted what it would become. Or that I would be directing the seventh installment of the franchise. I am overcome with gratitude and excitement.”