After Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, director Christopher Landon exits Scream 7

Christopher Landon, known for his work on horror hits like Happy Death Day and Freaky, has officially exited the director's chair for the highly anticipated Scream VII. Landon revealed his departure in a statement, describing the once-"dream" job as a "nightmare." The news came after the exit of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega.

Christopher Landon reveals why he exited the project

Christopher Landon said, “I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited Scream 7 weeks ago. This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on,” Landon wrote on X Saturday.

He added, “I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin created is something amazing and I was honoured to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”

Why did Jenna Ortega opt out of Scream VII?

With her various projects back in production following the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike, including her role in Beetlejuice 2, Jenna Ortega's prior commitments led to the decision not to return to the Scream franchise. She is presently on set, wrapping up filming for Beetlejuice 2, which is set for a Labour Day theatrical release.

Following this, she will be travelling to Ireland in April to commence shooting for the second season of Netflix's Wednesday series, extending into the summer.

Melissa Barrera's controversial exit from Scream VII

News of Jenna Ortega's departure surfaced a day after Spyglass Media confirmed the termination of star Melissa Barrera, who portrayed Samantha Carpenter in 2022's Scream and Scream VI. The actress' dismissal came after she openly advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza, sparking controversy and subsequent backlash.

Melissa Barrera had been actively using her platform to support the Palestinian cause, sharing information about the situation in Gaza. Spyglass took issue with her social media posts, accusing her of perpetuating antisemitic tropes. Barrera's posts, which included references to Israel as a "colonised land" and allegations of genocide and ethnic cleansing, sparked a heated debate online.