Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega not Returning for "Scream 7"

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https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/...234456239.html

Charna Flam
Tue, November 21, 2023 at 3:44 PM PST·2 min read

Melissa Barrera won't be back for the next Scream sequel.

The actress, 33, will no longer star in the horror franchise’s upcoming seventh installment after she was removed from the cast due to her social media posts about the Israel-Hamas war, according to reports from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

Variety reported that insiders viewed Barrera's comments as antisemitic.

"Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech," Spyglass, the studio behind Scream VII, said in a statement to PEOPLE.

Reps for Barrera did not respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.

In one written message from her Instagram Story quoted in the report and circulating social media after the news, Barrera allegedly wrote, “I have been actively looking for videos and information about the Palestinian side for the last 2 weeks or so, following accounts etc. Why? Because Western media only shows the other side. Why they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself.”

Barrera starred as Sam Carpenter in both 2022's Scream and this year's Scream VI. Her character was introduced as Scream villain Billy Loomis’ (Skeet Ulrich) daughter. The character was set to follow in the footsteps of Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott as the new franchise lead.

Barrera's Sam is older sister to Tera, played by Jenna Ortega.

Along with Barrera and Ortega, the Scream VI cast included Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, legacy Scream member Courteney Cox and Scream IV's Hayden Panettiere. (Neve Campbell and David Arquette were also in the fifth Scream, though Campbell didn't return for the sixth due to a contractual dispute.)

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Jenna Ortega not Returning for Scream 7 due To "Wednesday" Shooting Schedule
by Anthony D'Alessandro
November 22, 2023


Jenna Ortega, isn’t expected to return for Scream VII, we hear from sources.

This has nothing to do with the fallout from Melissa Barrera‘s firing yesterday by Spyglass Media over that actress’ social media posts on the Hamas-Israel conflict; nor does it have to do with the actress asking for an end to her Scream contract.



We understand that Ortega’s exit was discussed before the actors strike. A script for Scream VII is not ready yet, and the Primetime Emmy nominee has to head to Ireland in April to shoot the second season of Netflix’s "Wednesday" which will go into the summer.

Additionally, Beetlejuice 2 post SAG-AFTRA strike had a few extra days of shooting in order to meet its Labor Day 2024 theatrical release.

https://deadline.com/2023/11/jenna-o...ay-1235634200/

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Scream VII Director Exits Movie: "It Was a Dream Job that Turned into a Nightmare"
by Emlyn Travis
December 23, 2023


Scream VII has lost not only its leading ladies, but also its director.

Christopher Landon announced on social media that he departed the franchise’s latest installment more than a month and a half ago, calling the project “a nightmare.”




“I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago,” Landon wrote on X on Saturday. “This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone.”

Now, Landon said, “It's time to move on.” “I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world,” he continued.

“What he and Kevin [Williamson, who wrote the screenplay for Scream] created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”

https://ew.com/scream-7-director-chr...htmare-8419972

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9 Sam & Tara Storylines That Will Never Be Resolved After Scream 7's Exits

Now that Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega have exited Scream 7, the slasher franchise will leave many lingering Sam and Tara mysteries unanswered.