Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega recently reunited with the Scream cast at MPTF’s 17th Annual Evening Before Gala. This reunion brought together the “Core 4” of the franchise, which included Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding. The four actors have been working together since the reboot of the Scream series with the release of Scream V in 2022, followed by Scream VI in 2023. The gathering also included other cast members like Liana Liberato, Tony Revolori, Jack Quaid, and Barrera’s on-screen father, Skeet Ulrich.
Unfortunately, Barrera’s return to the Scream franchise was short-lived. She was dropped from Scream VII after posting about the Israel-Hamas conflict on social media. Spyglass Media, the production company behind the film, considered her comments to be antisemitic and condemned hate speech of any kind. In a statement, they made their stance clear, emphasizing their zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate.
In response to the controversy, Barrera defended her position, stating that her platform gave her the privilege of being heard and that she wanted to raise awareness about issues she cared about. She emphasized her commitment to speaking out for those in need and advocating for peace and safety, as well as human rights and freedom. Barrera’s firm resolve to use her voice to make a difference demonstrated that she was not willing to remain silent.
Jenna Ortega Follows Suit
Shortly after Barrera’s departure, Jenna Ortega, who portrayed Barrera’s sister in the film, also decided to step away from the project. Ortega cited scheduling conflicts with her Netflix series Wednesday as the reason for her departure. The loss of two prominent cast members dealt another blow to the troubled production of Scream VII.
As if the departures of Barrera and Ortega were not enough, Scream 7 director Christopher Landon also made an abrupt exit. He took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to announce that he had formally stepped down from his duties weeks before. Landon described his time on the film as a dream job turned nightmare and expressed his disappointment for everyone involved. The string of departures certainly added to the already challenging situation faced by Scream 7.
The Scream cast reunion at MPTF’s Annual Evening Before Gala was marred by controversy and subsequent departures. Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega’s exits from Scream VII, followed by director Christopher Landon’s departure, have left the production in turmoil. The future of the franchise hangs in the balance as new challenges arise. Fans and industry insiders alike wait anxiously for updates on the project and hope for a revival of stability for the well-loved horror series.
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