Jenna Ortega Left 'Scream' Franchise Because It 'Didn’t Seem Like the Right Move' for Her Career

Jenna Ortega is opening up about why she left the Scream franchise after appearing in the last two films.

"It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling," she told The Cut. "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."

News of Ortega’s departure from the franchise arrived in November 2023. Her announcement came days after her co-star, Melissa Barrera—who played Ortega’s onscreen sister—was fired from Scream 7 for sharing pro-Palestine views on social media. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who helmed 2022’s Scream and 2023’s Scream VI, also exited the franchise.

In addition to Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett’s departures, director Christopher Landon—who was set to direct Scream 7—also exited, calling it a "dream job that turned into a nightmare."

Elsewhere in Ortega’s conversation with The Cut, she shared that she prefers original works over franchises.

“I’ve happened to join a lot of franchises, which is so great to be a part of legacy," the 22-year-old said. "But for me, I’m really trying to prioritize new directors and original stories. 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."

Ortega appeared in Scream and Scream 6 as Tara Carpenter, younger sister to Sam Carpenter (Barrera) and Ghostface’s latest target.

Scream 7 is slated to arrive in February 2026, directed by Kevin Williamson, who created the franchise with the first 1996 film. Mason Gooding, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Scott Foley, and Matthew Lillard will reprise their roles.

The cast is filled out by Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner, Michelle Randolph, Anna Camp, Jimmy Tatro, and Joel McHale.