Why Scream Queen Jenna Ortega Really Left the Scream Franchise

Jenna Ortega talks about leaving the Scream franchise for the first time and says the decision wasn't about money or scheduling.

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Jenna Ortega’s role in the “Scream” reboot has been praised for helping to reinvent the franchise.

When the actress revealed that she wouldn’t return to the decades old movie series, fans were shocked.

Ortega recently revealed why she ultimately decided not to come back.

Speaking with The Cut about her new movie “Death Of A Unicorn,” Ortega says the original reports of her shooting schedule creating conflicts were untrue. 

“It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling,” Ortega says. Deadline originally reported that Netflix’s “Wednesday” was taking up the actress’ time. 

Ortega cites that a lot was happening at the time. Her costar, Melissa Barrera, was caught up in controversy surrounding comments she made. And “Scream VI” directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin already left the project after indicating they hoped the series would continue with or without them.

“The Melissa stuff was happening and it was all kind of falling apart,” the actress continues. 

Gillett and Olpin left the movie to focus on their 2024 film “Abigail.” Christopher Landon stepped up to direct “Scream VII” before deciding to leave the project due to creative differences.

“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.”

Kevin Williamson ultimately took the reins of the movie, which started shooting in Atlanta, Georgia in January 2025.

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Later in the interview, Ortega notes that she feels more confident in her career as she has more control over things like her “Wednesday” character. She became a producer of the show during its second season, something she’d been aiming for since season one.

“I feel a bit more empowered to speak my mind,” she tells The Cut.

Ortega isn’t unfamiliar with franchises. She stars in the previously mentioned “Wednesday” series that is a spinoff of “The Adams Family.” She also took on the role of Lydia Deetz in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”

“I’ve happened to join a lot of franchises, which is so great to be a part of legacy,” says Ortega of her recent work. 

Right now, the actress wants to make new things that aren’t based on intellectual property. 

““I’m really trying to prioritize new directors and original stories,” Ortega adds. “I know on the outside, maybe people are looking at my choices like, ‘Man, what the hell is this girl doing?’ I never thought I would do a movie with unicorns. But an original script is exciting. If I can help get it made, I love to do that.”

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