Jenna Ortega Clarifies Her Scream VII Exit: Everything to Know So Far

The seventh film in the 'Scream' franchise was going to explore Sam and Tara Carpenter's next battle with Ghostface

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The Scream franchise won’t be the same after Melissa Barrera‘s firing and Jenna Ortega‘s departure ahead of the seventh film.

Before the shocking dismissal, Scream became a horror staple spanning decades. The first film, which was released in 1996, focused on Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she faced off against numerous killers hiding their identity behind the infamous Ghostface persona. In the film, she received help from fellow OG Scream characters Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette), which led to the creation of three sequels in 1997, 2000 and 2011.

The franchise was revived nearly a decade after Scream 4 was released, allowing Scream to introduce fans to new protagonists Sam (Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Ortega). With the changes came surprising exits, such as Campbell’s decision to part ways with the franchise after filming the fifth installment due to failed salary negotiations.

The shakeups kept coming when news broke in November 2023 that Barrera being vocal about her support for Palestine amid conflict in the Middle East with Israel led to her being fired. That same month, Deadline reported Ortega would not appear in the film due to her filming schedule for Netflix’s Wednesday, though she later claimed a scheduling conflict wasn’t the reason for her exit.

Related: ‘Scream’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

The horror genre hasn’t been the same since Ghostface asked Drew Barrymore that question in 1996. Three sequels and one TV spinoff later, the Scream franchise isn’t going anywhere. The first Scream film debuted in December, a month usually reserved for awards contenders and family-friendly holiday fare. Even so, it became a runaway hit, and […]

Keep scrolling for everything to know about Scream VII:

Who Is Returning? Philippe Bossé

Before Barrera and Ortega’s departures, fans were expecting to see both reprise their roles. However, their fellow “Core Four” members Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown were confirmed to return as Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin for the next installment in December 2024 and January 2025, respectively.

Since Sam’s boyfriend Danny (Tom Segarra) was left alive at the end of Scream VI, there was an assumption that he would remain part of the group. Segarra, for his part, confirmed that he had plans to play Danny in more installments of Scream.

Scream VI also left the door open for legacy characters such as Gale (Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) to make appearances in the future, In October 2024, Cox confirmed that she would be making a return to the franchise.

“I’m the longest running Scream queen, so I guess I can’t stop now,” she shared at the Inc. 5000 Conference.

Panettiere has yet to share whether she will be participating in Scream VII.

After skipping out on Scream VI, Campbell announced in March 2024 that she will return as Sidney for the franchise’s next installment. Us Weekly later confirmed in December 2024 that Cox would reprise her role after Gale’s fate was left up in the air during Scream VI.

The new film will also see the return of several deceased characters, including Rrquette’s Dewey and former Ghostfaces Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) and Roman Bridger (Scott Foley).

Which Cast Members Will Not Be Coming Back? Neve Campbell in ‘Scream 5.’ Paramount Pictures/YouTube

After Barrera’s firing made headlines, production company Spyglass Media Group denied that the actress’ pro-Palestine comments caused the decision but did interpret her stance 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,” read their November 2023 statement to Variety.

Additionally, Ortega will not be returning for Scream VII. “It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling,” she confirmed to The Cut in April 2025, noting that directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin had left the film before she did.

“The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart,” she continued. “If Scream VII wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me in my career at the time.”

While Scream VII will seemingly feature several characters from the franchise’s history, Patrick Dempsey confirmed in March 2025 that his detective Mark Kincaid will not be one of them. “It just didn’t work out and we were dealing with the fires and everything that was going on and the schedule didn’t work out, unfortunately,” he told Variety in March 2025.

What Creative Shakeups Have Taken Place?

After Spyglass Media Group secured the rights to develop the fifth film, Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin were hired as directors on the project. The duo returned for Scream VI, but the next installment was set to be helmed by Christopher Landon, who is known for his involvement with Happy Death Day and Freaky. However, Landon announced in late December 2023 that he has left the project.

“I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago,” Landon shared via X (formerly known as Twitter). “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. But it’s time to move on. I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes [Craven’s] legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin [Williamson] created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”

Along with news that Campbell would be returning for Scream VII, it was announced that Williamson — who wrote the first two and fourth Scream movies — would be stepping into the director’s chair.

Where Did the Story Leave Off? Philippe Bossé

Scream VI focused on Sam’s state of mind as she wrestled with the revelation that she is the daughter of the first Ghostface killer, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). Reddit trolls started to theorize that Sam was the person murdering her loved ones because of her father’s murderous past. Sam was able to find a way to come to terms with her dad being a killer while refusing to go down the same path.

Meanwhile, Sam’s sister, Tara, tried to make a new start in New York City after the events of Scream VI. However, their past followed them to the Big Apple as the family of Scream VI killer Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) set out on a revenge mission to take the sisters down. With the help of Kirby, the Core Four managed to make it out of the movie alive.

Which Fan Theories Could Be Addressed?

The popular fan theory that one of the original Ghostface killers Stu Macher (Lillard) wasn’t actually dead has been brought up many times since the franchise was revived. Lillard has enthusiastically supported the idea of him coming back in some capacity, and Scream VI kept that option open.

Related: Every Star Who’s Put on the Ghostface Mask in the ‘Scream’ Movies

A scary movie icon! While the original Scream premiered in 1996, many stars have taken on the role of Ghostface in the franchise’s many sequels. The masked murderer, who later became known as Ghostface, made their first appearance in the inaugural slasher film. The first movie follows Sidney Prescott — who is played by Neve […]

What Does Melissa Barrera’s Exit Mean for Sam? Youtube

Before her firing, Barrera discussed where she would like to see Sam’s story go.

“That’s one of the reasons that, when I read the script for Scream 5, I was so interested in the character. There’s so much potential here of where she could go with her mental health — she’s just unpredictable,” the actress told Digital Spy in June 2023. “I find that that darkness in her makes her that much more interesting to play and to watch.”

Barrera continued: “She’s the hero but she’s also kind of the villain. It’s this contradiction in her that I find fascinating and, if we get to do another one, I would love to see. The writers have done a really good job with her up until this point, so I trust them just to know where to take her [in a way] that will be unexpected and cool for the fans.”

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Will There Be New Characters? Getty Images (2)

In November 2024, it was announced that 1883 star Isabel May will portray Sidney’s daughter in Scream VII. Details about the character, including her name and the identity of her father, have not been revealed.

In January 2025, Joel McHale was announced to be joining the cast as Sidney’s husband, Mark Evans, though it was not revealed whether his character is the father of Sidney’s daughter.

Additional new cast members include Mckenna Grace, Asa Germann, Sam Rechner, Celeste O’Connor, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos and Ethan Embry.

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