- Christopher Landon has left his position as director of Scream VII, describing the experience as a “dream job that turned into a nightmare.”
- Melissa Barrera’s firing and Jenna Ortega’s departure have left the production in disarray.
- The future of the Scream VII franchise remains uncertain due to the chaotic state of the production.
Director Christopher Landon has announced his departure from the troubled Scream VII movie, describing the experience as a “dream job that turned into a nightmare.” Landon revealed that he actually left the project weeks ago, despite only making the announcement recently. This news coincides with the firing of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega’s subsequent departure from the film, highlighting the chaotic state of the production.
Landon took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the situation: “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. 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 honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”
After the revival of the Scream franchise in 2022 and the success of Scream VI earlier in the year, it seemed that the series would continue to thrive. However, the current state of disarray within the production casts doubt upon whether Scream VII will recover from its present challenges.
The Scream franchise experienced a resurgence in 2022 after a decade-long break, with the return of original stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, as well as the introduction of new actors like Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera. Scream VI, released in January 2023, earned positive reviews and strong box office results, leading to fan excitement for Scream VII. Unfortunately, the film’s production began to unravel in November due to controversies involving Melissa Barrera’s social media posts about the Israel-Hamas war, which ultimately led to her firing by Spyglass Media.
Jenna Ortega’s departure from the film, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts, further complicated matters. Some speculate that Ortega’s exit was actually a show of support for Barrera rather than a result of scheduling issues. Christopher Landon’s departure as director, along with the timing of the events, seems to support the idea that Barrera’s dismissal led to the downward spiral of the production. Landon previously stated he had no input in the decision to fire Barrera.
With all these setbacks, it’s unclear whether Scream VII will ever see the light of day or experience a quick turnaround like its predecessor. In the meantime, fans of the franchise can still watch previous movies in the series, which are available for streaming on Max and Paramount+.