Jenna Ortega’s career has soared far beyond her role in the Scream series, with upcoming projects including Wednesday season two, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and the current A24 release Death of a Unicorn, showcasing her growing filmography. However, her departure from the popular slasher franchise occurred at a tumultuous time, shortly after co-star Melissa Barrera’s firing due to her social media posts in support of Palestine, leaving many to wonder about the behind-the-scenes circumstances.

Initially, speculation suggested that Ortega’s Wednesday filming schedule might have conflicted with the planned Scream 7, considering the expected longer delay between parts six and seven, with part five releasing in January 2022 and part six in March 2023. The directing duo, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, had passed the torch to Christopher Landon, who eventually exited the project following Ortega’s departure.

Original Scream creator Kevin Williamson joined the project last year, with Scream 7 slated for release in February 2026. Williamson has been actively incorporating former Ghostfaces and other past characters into the cast. Although Ortega’s character survived Scream VI, and despite Williamson’s involvement, the actress will not be returning. In a recent interview with the Cut, Ortega addressed her departure, providing additional context.

“It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling,” Ortega clarified, dispelling earlier rumors of Wednesday scheduling conflicts. Instead, her decision was influenced by the departure of directors Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett from the next Scream installment and the controversy surrounding Barrera.

“The Melissa situation was unfolding, and everything was falling apart. If Scream VII wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and the people I had grown to love, it didn’t feel like the right career move for me at the time.”

The Cut article highlights Ortega’s packed schedule, even without any upcoming Scream projects, with her Netflix series returning and roles in feature films like Hurry Up Tomorrow with the Weeknd, Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun, and Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist. Read more of the interview here.

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