Jenna Ortega Departs Scream 7 Amid Controversy Surrounding Melissa Barrera’s Palestine Remarks

The horror franchise Scream faces a significant shakeup as reports confirm that Jenna Ortega will not be reprising her role in Scream VII.

This abrupt departure follows the dismissal of her co-star, Melissa Barrera, due to controversy surrounding comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Ortega’s exit from the horror film is attributed to scheduling conflicts arising from her commitment to Netflix’s hit series Wednesday, where she portrays the iconic Wednesday Addams in a contemporary rendition of The Addams Family. 

However, representatives for Ortega and Spyglass, the studio behind Scream VII, have yet to issue official statements regarding this change.

The departure of Ortega comes on the heels of Barrera’s dismissal from the project. Spyglass made the decision to terminate Barrera’s contract after her social media remarks were condemned as antisemitic. 

The studio emphasized a zero-tolerance stance against hate speech and antisemitism, following Barrera’s comments on Gaza and her critique of Western media’s portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Director’s Online Frustration with Jenna Ortega’s Departure

Director Christopher Landon expressed frustration over the situation on social media, indicating that the choices made were beyond his control, stating, “This is my statement: Everything sucks. Stop yelling.”

The repercussions stemming from these occurrences have a broader impact that reaches far beyond the scope of the Scream production, influencing various interconnected aspects or entities.

Actress Susan Sarandon faced consequences in her career as her talent agency, UTA, severed ties following her participation in a pro-Palestine rally. 

The ongoing fallout from discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to reverberate through the entertainment industry, casting shadows over the future of several projects and the careers of those involved.

The outlook for Scream VII has become uncertain following Jenna Ortega’s exit and the dismissal of Barrera, casting doubt on the film’s continuation.

The film’s production faces considerable challenges and uncertainties in light of these unexpected exits, leaving fans and industry insiders alike speculating about the franchise’s trajectory.