Scream 7 is going to be a very different movie than we were expecting it to be when it was first announced. Although the 2022 Scream film introduced new lead characters Samantha and Tara Carpenter, played by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, and Scream VI saw the Carpenter sisters solidifying their connection with the Meeks-Martin twins (Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy and Mason Gooding as Chad) to call themselves the new “core four” characters of the franchise… at least half of the core four as going to be absent from Scream 7. Yesterday, we learned that Barrera has been fired from the film after making controversial comments on social media. Now Deadline has confirmed that Ortega will also be missing from the new sequel.
Deadline made sure to note that “This has nothing to do with the fallout from Melissa Barrera‘s firing … nor does it have to do with the actress asking for an end to her Scream contract.” Ortega’s absence from Scream 7 comes down to the filming schedule for season 2 of the Netflix Addams Family series Wednesday, where she plays the title character. In fact, Ortega’s exit from the next Scream sequel was apparently even discussed before the SAG strike (which ended earlier this month) started back in July. She will be heading over to Ireland to film Wednesday season 2 next April, and filming on the season is expected to continue through next summer. And apparently Ghostface isn’t willing to wait for her, so Scream 7 is moving forward without her.
Scream 7 is also moving forward without Scream (2022) and Scream VI directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett at the helm. They’re busy working on their Universal Monster movie – a project that was once known as Dracula’s Daughter and counts Barrera among its cast members. The director tasked with making Scream 7 without the two leads established in the previous two films is Freaky and Happy Death Day director Christopher Landon.
How do you think Scream 7 should handle the exits of both Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega? Are you interested in seeing a sequel that doesn’t have the Carpenter sisters in it? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.