‘Scream VII’: What to Know After Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega’s Exits

The Scream franchise received’t be the identical after Melissa Barrera‘s firing and Jenna Ortega‘s departure forward of the seventh movie.

Before the stunning dismissal, Scream turned a horror staple spanning many years. The first movie, which was launched in 1996, targeted on Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she confronted off towards quite a few killers hiding their id behind the Ghostface persona. The last woman obtained assist 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 almost a decade after Scream 4 was launched. This allowed Scream to herald new protagonists Sam (Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Ortega). With the modifications got here stunning exits, comparable to Campbell’s choice to half methods with the franchise after filming the fifth installment due to failed wage negotiations.

The shakeups stored coming when information broke in November 2023 that Barrera being vocal about her help for Palestine amid battle within the Middle East with Israel led to her being fired. That similar month, Deadline reported Ortega may also exit due to a conflicting filming schedule with Netflix’s Wednesday.

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

The horror style hasn’t been the identical since Ghostface requested Drew Barrymore that query in 1996. Three sequels and one TV spinoff later, the Scream franchise isn’t going wherever. The first Scream movie debuted in December, a month normally reserved for awards contenders and family-friendly vacation fare. Even so, it turned a runaway hit, and […]

Keep scrolling for all the things to learn about Scream VII:

Who Is Returning?

Before Barrera and Ortega’s departure, followers had been anticipating to see each reprise their roles. Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding are the remaining actors who make up the onscreen “Core Four” good friend dynamic and can presumably return as properly.

Since Sam’s boyfriend Danny (Tom Segarra) was left alive on the finish of Scream VI, there was an assumption that he would stay a part of the group. Segarra, for his half, confirmed that he had plans to play Danny in additional installments of Scream.

Scream VI additionally left the door open for legacy characters comparable to Gale (Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) to make appearances sooner or later.

Which Cast Members Will Not Be Coming Back?

Campbell, who was an OG Scream star, didn’t play Sidney within the sixth movie. Despite outrage from devoted followers, it doesn’t seem that Campbell and the studio had been in a position to attain an understanding about her wage, so she presumably received’t be coming again in Scream VII both.

Barrera was the second stunning exit from the Scream franchise. After her firing made headlines, manufacturing firm Production firm Spyglass Media Group denied that Barrera’s pro-Palestine feedback brought about the choice.

“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,” learn their November 2023 assertion to Variety.

Ortega won’t be returning as properly due to prior filming commitments.

What Creative Shakeups Have Taken Place?

After Spyglass Media Group secured the rights to develop the fifth movie, Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin had been employed as administrators on the venture. The duo returned for Scream VI, however the subsequent installment was set to be helmed by Christopher Landon, who is understood for his involvement with Happy Death Day and Freaky. However, Landon introduced in late December 2023 that he has left the venture.

“I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago,” Landon shared by way of X (previously often 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 [Anderson’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.”

Where Did the Story Leave Off?

Scream VI targeted on Sam’s way of thinking as she wrestled with the revelation that she is the daughter of the primary Ghostface killer, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). Reddit trolls began to theorize that Sam was the particular person murdering her family members due to her father’s murderous previous. Sam was in a position to discover a approach to come to phrases along with her dad being a killer whereas refusing to go down the identical path.

Meanwhile, Sam’s sister, Tara, tried to depart the previous behind after their transfer to New York City. By the tip of the sixth movie, Tara discovered love along with her good friend Chad (Gooding).

Which Fan Theories Could Be Addressed?

The standard fan concept that one of many authentic Ghostface killers Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) wasn’t really lifeless has been introduced up many occasions because the franchise was revived. Lillard has enthusiastically supported the thought of him coming again in some capability, and Scream VI stored that choice open.

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

A scary film icon! While the unique Scream premiered in 1996, many stars have taken on the function of Ghostface within the franchise’s many sequels. The masked assassin, who later turned often known as Ghostface, made their first look within the inaugural slasher movie. The first film follows Sidney Prescott — who’s performed by Neve […]

What Does Melissa Barrera’s Exit Mean for Sam?

Before her firing, Barrera mentioned the place she would love 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 instructed 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.”