David Arquette will reprise his role as Dewey Riley in Scream 7, despite the character’s death in Scream (2022). He joins Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley, both of whom also played characters previously killed in the franchise. The decision adds intrigue to the latest installment, though details on how these characters return remain undisclosed.
Arquette first portrayed Dewey in Scream (1996), playing the well-intentioned deputy sheriff of Woodsboro. Over the years, he became a survivor of multiple Ghostface attacks and a central figure in the franchise. His relationship with journalist Gale Weathers, played by Courteney Cox, was a key part of the series until Dewey was killed in the fifth film by Amber Freeman (Mikey Madison). The character’s demise was met with mixed reactions from longtime fans. Cox previously commented on the decision, saying, “Dewey is so loved by Scream fans. They have to figure it out.”
Lillard and Foley’s return raises further questions. Lillard originally played Stu Macher, one of the two killers in Scream (1996). His character was presumed dead after being crushed by a television. Foley portrayed Roman Bridger, the mastermind behind Scream 3 (2000), who was shot by Dewey. Their reappearances signal an unexpected creative approach for Scream 7.
The cast includes returning stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown. New additions feature Mckenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor, Joel McHale, Asa Germann, Sam Rechner, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos, and Ethan Embry. However, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, who led the previous two films, will not return. Barrera was removed from the project over social media controversy, while Ortega’s schedule with Netflix’s Wednesday prevented her involvement.
Kevin Williamson, the screenwriter behind the original Scream, will direct the film. It marks his first time leading a Scream project as a director. Gooding hinted at a more intense take on the series, saying, “I think that Ghostface is absolutely the most brutal he’s been. There’s some stuff that they do to the human body that I feel like Kevin is breaking new ground with.”
The film is scheduled for release in theaters on February 27, 2026.
