Actress Jenna Ortega is having a bit of a moment with an A24 film “Death of A Unicorn” currently playing in theaters and booking some high-profile projects like last year’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Lionsgate‘s upcoming “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” Cathy Yan‘s “The Gallerist” opposite Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, and the Taika Waititi directed sci-fi drama “Klara & The Sun.” Missing from that lineup of projects is a return for Spyglass Media‘s “Scream 7.”
Ortega was originally attached for a return after appearing in the two previous installments until a bunch of behind-the-scenes drama led to her exit. Originally, trades had cited scheduling and potentially salary issues being behind that, however, Ortega mentions in a new interview with The Cut that wasn’t the case.
READ MORE: Melissa Barrera Says Acting Offers “Went Quiet For Like 10 Months” After Being Fired From ‘Scream’ Franchise
“It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling,” said Ortega of her “Scream 7” exit, despite initial trade reports pointing to that being the reasoning.
A host of issues came up on the project. Some of that includes the exiting of the directing duo of Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin (the two were replaced by franchise screenwriter Kevin Williamson) and the firing of lead actress Melissa Barrera by Spyglass/producers. The latter came after she shared heartfelt support for the victims of military violence in Palestine on social media. That harmless message of peace and nonviolence for the sake of children was deemed “too controversial” to handle for those behind the film and, unsurprisingly, some media outlets.
“The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart,” Ortega said of the events surrounding her leaving the horror sequel. “If ‘Scream 7’ 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.”
However, the actress isn’t exactly zeroing in on the Barrera firing as the main reason for her exit, which is a little bit disappointing, but at least she is rebuffing the trade/studio story that was presented to the public. Barrera was eventually replaced by Neve Campbell, who was the one that did have salary issues in the past with Spyglass, and that was seemingly all ironed out allowing for a return.
Ortega also confirmed in the interview that she has indeed taken a role in J.J. Abrams‘ mysterious and untitled upcoming film at Warner Bros. alongside Glen Powell (“The Running Man”), Emma Mackey (“Barbie”), and box office champ Samuel L. Jackson.
“It all feels very top secret, but it is an original J.J. script with some fantasy elements,” Ortega said and revealed she was able to pick tattoos for her character among other choices for that secretive role. “I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a story like this so early on.”
Filming on that one is gearing up to begin soon in London, England. This new mystery box project certainly feels like another big notch on her big screen belt as the young actress continues to ascend to Hollywood stardom.
Support independent movie journalism to keep it alive. Sign up for The Playlist Newsletter. All the content you want and, oh, right, it’s free.
“Death of Unicorn” is currently playing in theaters. So don’t miss your chance to check it out.
