While horror fans wait to hear more about Scream 7, everyone is curious how Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera's exits will impact the franchise. After Scream 4 was released in 2011, it was a long time before a new Scream movie came out in 2022. It was clear that the story of final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) fighting various Ghostface killers with different motives wasn't over. New characters like Tara Carpenter, played by Jenna Ortega, made the fifth film in the franchise engaging and fresh.

Jenna Ortega, known for her impressive starring role in the Netflix series Wednesday, wowed audiences in Scream (2022) and Scream 6. Tara Carpenter's Scream character arc is one of the most significant in the slasher franchise.

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Who Is Jenna Ortega's Character Tara Carpenter In Scream (2022) And Scream 6?

Jenna Ortega has starred in many horror movies such as Studio 666, X, and The Babysitter: Killer Queen. In Scream (2022) and Scream 6, Jenna Ortega played Tara Carpenter, a teenager in Woodsboro whose older sister is Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera). Tara and Sam are estranged and haven't seen each other in a while when Ghostface attacks Tara in the opening scene and the killing spree begins.

Tara is a hilarious, intelligent, rebellious, and witty character, and she is a smart choice for the opening scene of Scream (2022). She talks about her love of elevated horror movies before getting injured, which is one of the most memorable scenes from the film. Although she spends much of the movie in the hospital, her clever dialogue ensures that she is always in the center of the action.

Tara plays a crucial role at the end of Scream (2022) when she shoots one of the Ghostface killers. After, she makes the joke:

Jenna Ortega's character Tara and Sam's sister dynamic is a key part of Scream (2022) as they realize that they have spent too much time feeling hurt and angry. Near the end of the movie, Tara shows her maturity and wisdom despite her young age when she tells Sam:

The Scream 6 New York City setting adds something fresh, thrilling, and unsettling to the horror franchise, and Tara is enjoying her newfound freedom. As the Scream 6 body count rises, Tara continues to find out who she is while attending Blackmore University and supporting Sam and the other Core Four characters.

What Happened To Jenna Ortega's Character Tara Carpenter In Scream 6?

Jenna Ortega's character Tara Carpenter and her sister Sam Carpenter play a key role in fighting Ghostface, who almost kills Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) in Scream 6. Tara also goes to the old movie theater, one of the movie's main settings, to try to stop Ghostface once and for all.

By the end of Scream 6, Tara is still alive, and so are her sister and friends. If Jenna Ortega starred in Scream 7, she would no doubt be at the center of the story again. The actor showed her talent at playing vulnerable yet tough characters while playing Ellie on the Netflix series You, among other roles, and it's too bad that fans won't get to see what happens to Tara in Scream 7.

Why Did Jenna Ortega Leave Scream 7?

In November 2023, Variety reported that Jenna Ortega left Scream 7 because of Wednesday season 2. It turns out that the schedules didn't line up.

However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Jenna Ortega's salary might have been why she left Scream 7. Sources said that she didn't have a deal yet and was paid a six-figure salary for Scream (2022) and Scream 6. According to these sources, Ortega asked for more money. No matter the reason, one thing is certain: Jenna Ortega left a big impression on Scream fans and she will be missed.

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