It’s been a tumultuous week for the Scream franchise, to say the very least, with franchise co-stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega no longer involved in the upcoming Scream 7.
Barrera was fired from the production by Spyglass while it was announced earlier today that Ortega is no longer attached to reprise her own role from the previous two movies, and Variety brings a bit more clarity to the behind the scenes chaos in a brand new report this evening.
Variety details, “It seemed to some fans like the planned sequel was collapsing in real time. However, even before Barrera was fired, plans for the next Scream were being retooled. Ortega’s exit had required the creative team to make some alterations, according to individuals with knowledge, but there were still hopes that the actress might be convinced to come back for some sort of cameo. That no longer seems to be in the cards. Another source familiar with the franchise disputed this, saying Ortega was never in the mix for the new film.”
“James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, the writers of the previous two Scream installments, will now work on a fresh draft to present to filmmakers,” Variety continues. “Some set pieces and twists may be preserved, but the movie will need to find new protagonists.”
Variety’s report also mentions Neve Campbell and Patrick Dempsey as actors the studio may potentially be interested in bringing into Scream 7, but they make it clear that neither actor has been in active negotiations up to this point. Dempsey hasn’t been seen in the franchise since Scream 3, while Campbell didn’t appear in Scream VI due to a salary dispute.
Melissa Barrera, meanwhile, took to social media tonight to make a heartfelt statement in the wake of being fired from Scream 7 by Spyglass, which you can read below.
Melissa Barrera has released a statement after she was fired from ‘SCREAM 7’ for being vocal about the genocide happening in Palestine.
“Silence is not an option for me.” pic.twitter.com/aEnowhRuDy
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 23, 2023
What we know about Scream 7 so far is that Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky) will be directing the upcoming slasher sequel for Spyglass and Paramount.
Scream and Scream VI directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Radio Silence) will remain on board as executive producers, as will Chad Villella.
Landon also wrote the second, third, fourth and seventh installments of the Paranormal Activity franchise, along with writing and directing Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. Needless to say, he’s got a highly respectable horror pedigree as he heads into Woodsboro, and his previous work proves he has the right sensibilities for the Scream saga.