When news broke in late 2023 that Jenna Ortega wouldn’t be returning for the next Scream movie, fans were confused—and understandably upset. Jenna had quickly become a fan-favorite as Tara Carpenter, and her exit felt sudden, especially as it came hot on the heels of Melissa Barrera’s controversial departure from the franchise.
At the time, it wasn’t clear exactly why Jenna stepped away, but there was plenty of speculation. Some believed scheduling conflicts with her hit Netflix series Wednesday were to blame, while others assumed it was linked to the behind-the-scenes drama following Barrera’s firing. But now, Jenna herself is finally clearing the air.
In a new interview with The Cut, the 21-year-old actress explained her decision to leave Scream VII had more to do with the film’s changing creative direction than anything else.
“It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling,” Jenna said. “It was all kind of falling apart. 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.”
The “team of directors” she’s referring to are Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, who directed both Scream V and Scream VI, helping to reboot the slasher franchise for a new generation. Their decision to step away from the upcoming installment seemed to mark the beginning of a wider shift behind the scenes—one that made Jenna reconsider whether the project still felt right.
After back-to-back hits with Wednesday and Scream, Jenna’s career is on a serious upward trajectory. Taking on projects that feel aligned with her creative instincts is more important than ever.
While it’s disappointing for fans who were hoping to see her return, Jenna’s transparency offers some closure—and shows that she’s staying true to her artistic gut. As for Scream VII, it’s still moving forward, though it’s now without two of its stars and the directing duo that helped revive it. What the next chapter of the franchise looks like is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s clear: Jenna Ortega is forging her own path.
