In a recent update from sources, “Wednesday” fame Jenna Ortega chooses not to return as Tara Carpenter in Spyglass Media’s Scream VII. Various sources say she made this decision months before the SAG-AFTRA strike started.
Casts leaving the show threatens stability in the Scream franchise
Casting challenges have struck the Scream franchise once again, echoing the controversial departure of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott in the previous sequel.
In these situations of pullouts, the integrity of the “Core Four” in the latest Scream movies seems compromised. Now only twins Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) are standing firm.
Despite Campbell’s absence in Scream VI due to a pay dispute, her recent exit from Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer sparks speculation about a potential return for Scream 7.
Scheduling conflicts led to Jenna Ortega’s absence in ‘Scream VII’
According to information from Deadline, a source mentioned that Jenna Ortega won’t be part of Scream VII due to scheduling conflicts. The movie lacks a script at the moment, and filming would overlap with Ortega’s ongoing projects resuming after the SAG strike.
Currently, the Primetime Emmy nominee is busy wrapping up Beetlejuice 2, set for a Labor Day release. Following that, she’ll head to Ireland in April to start shooting the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday series, a commitment extending into the summer.
Jenna Ortega played a crucial role in propelling “Scream VI” to its highest-ever opening earnings in the horror franchise. Achieving $44.4 million domestically and $67 million globally, the film saw unprecedented success.
Now, let’s delve into how Ortega became a linchpin in this remarkable achievement.
Portraying Tara Carpenter, a key member of the “Core Four,” Jenna Ortega emerged as a survivor in both “Scream” (2022) and its sixth instalment.
Tara, the younger sibling of Sam Carpenter, portrayed by Melissa Barrera, witnessed the unfolding events.
Notably, Barrera won’t be returning for the sequel amid controversy surrounding her social media posts.
Melissa Barrera’s dismissal from Scream Franchise due to her controversial stance
Just a day after Spyglass Media announced the dismissal of Melissa Barrera, who played Samantha Carpenter in Scream and Scream VI, Jenna Ortega’s departure from the project was revealed.
Barrera’s termination occurred following her public support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In the last six weeks, she has consistently expressed support for the Palestinian cause by sharing content on social media. These posts and articles depict Israeli actions as “genocide and ethnic cleansing” while referring to Israel as a “colonized land.”
In October, Melissa Barrera shared a post on her Story featuring a sign declaring, “I too come from a colonized country,” accompanied by the Mexican flag.
The post boldly stated, “Palestine WILL be free,” and included an italicized quote: “They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.”
In a social media post, Barrera expressed her viewpoint, stating, “Western media only shows the Israeli side. Why do they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself.”
Some individuals have interpreted this statement as potentially perpetuating antisemitic tropes, implying a connection between individuals of the Jewish faith and control over Hollywood.
Spyglass media’s stance on antisemitism
A spokesperson from Spyglass, in a statement to ET, asserted a firm position, saying,
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form. It also includes false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
In a previous statement, Barrera addressed concerns about antisemitism, posting on Instagram on October 27,
“It is important for me to clarify that when I say Free Palestine, I do not in any way mean to Kill all Jews.”
She emphasized her desire for freedom and safety for both Palestinians and Jews globally.
Screenshots documenting many of Barrera’s posts regarding the ongoing conflict have been compiled and posted on X, providing a comprehensive look at her statements.
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