Actress Jenna Ortega has left “Scream VII,” a day after Spyglass Media Group fired Melissa Barrera, co-director of the final chapter of the horror film franchise, for her social media posts referencing the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Ortega’s departure had nothing to do with Barrera’s firing. They said Ortega’s representatives informed Spyglass before the actors’ strike that the “Wednesday” star would not be returning for another “Scream” movie.
According to several sources, either Ortega did not reach an agreement or, when renegotiating his option, he asked for too much money from the film company.
Barrera posted his first reaction related to the release of “Scream VII” on his Instagram Stories on Wednesday afternoon, saying he will “continue to speak on behalf of those who love him most. “
After her firing, Spyglass said the company interpreted Barrera’s social media posts as anti-Semitic and did not fire her for her Palestinian cause.
Barrera began his message by condemning “anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. “
“I condemn hatred and prejudice of any kind against any organization of people. As a proud Latina and Mexican, I feel a duty to have a platform that gives me the privilege of being heard, and that’s why I’ve tried to use it to raise awareness about the issues I care about and lend my voice to those who want it.
“All users of this land, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic prestige, deserve the same human rights, dignity and, of course, freedom. I understand that an organization of other people is NOT your leadership, and that no governance framework deserves to be above criticism,” he wrote.
Barrera said she prays day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence, and for peaceful co-existence.
“I will continue to speak on behalf of those who love it to the fullest and advocate for peace and security, for human rights and freedom. Silence is not an option for me,” he said. he added in his statement.
Barrera and Ortega have been sisters in the franchise since 2022’s “Scream. “
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