Summary
- Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley returning as past characters in Scream 7 is surprising.
- David Arquette is reviving his role as Dewey Riley in the upcoming horror sequel.
- Dewey’s potential return via a flashback scene could provide new insight into the plot of Scream 7.
While not every past Scream character is going to appear in Scream 7, it does feel like the majority of the horror franchise’s actors are coming back. I was just as surprised as other fans to learn that Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley are playing Stu Macher and Roman Bridger again. But it’s not only Ghostfaces who are back in action. David Arquette is reprising his role of Dewey Riley, which is exciting news since the deputy is one of the kindest and most beloved legacy characters.
Although I wondered if Gale could see Dewey’s ghost in Scream 7, I have another idea for Dewey’s appearance in the upcoming horror sequel. I would cheer him on no matter what, but I think this storyline would be the most practical.
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David Arquette’s Dewey Could Return Via An Important Flashback With Ghostface
When thinking about how Dewey Riley could come back in Scream 7, I’m reflecting on his Scream (2022) death, which I think was a problem. But while no one can change the fact that Ghostface killed Dewey at the hospital where Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) was recovering, I have an idea: what if Dewey appears in a flashback scene and reveals a big secret?
Since Scream 7 is bringing back so many characters, it’s hard to know how this is going to work. It wouldn’t make sense for Stu Macher, Roman Bridger, and Dewey Riley to all come back as ghosts. But a flashback would work. Scream 7 could feature an unseen moment from Scream (2022) where Dewey and Ghostface have a tense confrontation and discussion before Ghostface murders him. Maybe Dewey figures out Ghostface’s identity and Ghostface accidentally tells him something that will be helpful to the plot in Scream 7. Or maybe Dewey puts a few puzzle pieces together and tells Ghostface what he knows.
This flashback scene could also share some new information about Dewey and Gale’s divorce. I don’t think these popular characters should have split up, and I wanted to see the evolution of their marriage rather than learn that it was over. I have some questions about exactly how and why they broke up, and I’d like to see them talk about it. Perhaps before Ghostface finds Dewey, Dewey could have a serious chat with Gale. This would also help give Gale a more meaningful storyline in Scream 7.
Also, if Dewey learned something significant about Ghostface that could point to the Scream 7 killer, perhaps Gale overhears them in the hospital. This would move the plot forward since Gale could share that information with Sidney Prescott. Or maybe Sidney is the one who hears them chatting. Either way, I’d love to see a flashback with Dewey in the upcoming slasher sequel, and I think it could add a lot to the story. Although the main setting would still be Pine Grove, Indiana, this flashback could take place back in Woodsboro.
What Did David Arquette Say About Playing Dewey Riley In Scream?
David Arquette has had a number of high-profile roles, including Rob Geller in the 1999 comedy Never Been Kissed, but it’s hard not to say that his best and most beloved part is Dewey Riley in the Scream franchise. While another character could play a similar role, no one can truly take Dewey’s place because he’s so charming, nice, and likable.
Arquette is also a big fan of Dewey and has shared that sentiment in a few interviews. In Sharp Magazine in 2022, Arquette said:
“I love playing the role of Dewey, he just has this big heart, and that made it easy.”
In 2021, the actor talked to The AU Review about starring in Scream (2022) without beloved horror director Wes Craven. He shared more about his adoration of Dewey and also talked about Craven. He said:
“But I love playing the part of Dewey, it’s one of my favourite things to do. You don’t typically get an opportunity to play a character for so long. The directors (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) were inspired by Wes, they loved his films when they were younger and got into horror because of directors like Wes, so they really wanted to make a tribute and something he would love from above.”
Scream 7
- Release Date
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February 27, 2026
- Director
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Kevin Williamson
- Writers
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Kevin Williamson, Guy Busick, James Vanderbilt
- Producers
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Cathy Konrad, Gary Barber, Marianne Maddalena, Peter Oillataguerre, William Sherak, Chad Villella, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Ron Lynch
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Neve Campbell
Sidney Prescott
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Courteney Cox
Gale Weathers
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Mason Gooding
Chad Meeks-Martin
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Jasmin Savoy Brown
Mindy Meeks-Martin
More
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