Did Jenna Ortega end contract with Scream franchise due to Melissa Barrera’s removal?

Jenna Ortega, a pivotal contributor to the record-breaking success of Scream VI, is reportedly not anticipated to make a return for Scream VII, as per insider sources. Contrary to recent controversies, such as Melissa Barrera’s dismissal from Spyglass Media due to social media posts related to the Hamas-Israel conflict, Ortega’s decision is unrelated to contract disputes or external issues. Importantly, discussions about Ortega’s involvement in the next installment of the Scream franchise were ongoing even before the onset of the actors’ strike. Notably, the absence of a finalized script for Scream VII played a role in this decision.

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Scheduled to commence shooting the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday in Ireland from April through the summer, Ortega’s commitments make her participation in the forthcoming Scream project unfeasible. Furthermore, post-SAG-AFTRA strike, the production schedule for Beetlejuice required additional days of shooting to meet its slated theatrical release on Labor Day 2024.

Despite her departure from the Scream series, Jenna Ortega’s career trajectory remains promising and versatile, particularly following the success of Wednesday. Her portrayal of the title character earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Comedy Series Actress and a Golden Globe Comedy TV Actress nomination.

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In terms of the Scream franchise, the potential seventh installment holds the prospect of pushing the cumulative global box office earnings past the monumental $1 billion mark. As of now, the franchise has amassed an impressive $911 million across six films, solidifying its status as a prominent and lucrative presence in the horror genre.