David Arquette Returns for Scream 7!
The central themes of the film will be AI and deepfake
The magical trio is complete! With Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox having already confirmed their return for "Scream 7", another veteran of the horror series is now making a comeback, according to Deadline. We're talking about David Arquette!
This news may come as a surprise to some fans, as Deputy Dewey Riley was murdered in "Scream 5". The same goes for the characters of Scott Foley and Matthew Lillard. How exactly the deceased characters will return in "Scream 7" remains a big mystery. Will they be shown in flashbacks? Are they doppelgangers or even supernatural elements? The makers are still staying tight-lipped.
David Arquette's character Dewey Riley first appeared in "Scream" in 1996 and quickly became a favorite among viewers. As the good-natured, if somewhat clumsy, Woodsboro policeman, he tried to solve the series of murders. Particularly tragic for him was the death of his sister Tatum, played by Rose McGowan, who was one of the victims of the infamous Woodsboro murders. In the course of the series, Dewey married the journalist Gale Weathers, played by Courteney Cox.
Alongside Arquette, Foley and Lillard, Neve Campbell, Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown are also back. New additions to the cast include Isabel May, Celeste O'Connor and Asa Germann.
According to Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman, the central themes of the seventh part will be AI and deepfake. It is still uncertain in what form these topics will be part of the plot. However, it is already known when we can expect the new film from director and franchise legend Kevin Williamson: "Scream 7" will be released in theaters on February 27, 2026.
David Arquette in the Scream Series: An Iconic Character
David Arquette is one of the best-known characters in the "Scream" series and played the lovable but brave deputy Dewey Riley. From 1996 to 2022, he appeared in five films in the popular horror film series and became a fan favorite. Here we take a look at all the "Scream" movies in which Arquette starred.
Scream (1996)
The first "Scream" film from director Wes Craven took the slasher genre to a new level and introduced Dewey Riley as a bumbling but brave deputy. As the younger brother of Tatum Riley (played by Rose McGowan), Dewey tries to get to the bottom of Ghostface's brutal murders. Although he is portrayed as somewhat awkward, he survives the massacre and ends up seriously injured but not killed.
Scream 2 (1997)
A year after the events of the first movie, Dewey returns in "Scream 2" to help Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell). He is still suffering from the injuries sustained in the first attack, but that doesn't stop him from taking on Ghostface again. His relationship with journalist Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) begins to develop in this movie and provides some emotional moments.
Scream 3 (2000)
Dewey has a larger role in "Scream 3". He works as a consultant on the set of the movie Stab 3, which is based on the previous murders. His relationship with Gale continues to deepen, although it is characterized by ups and downs. In this movie, he also narrowly escapes Ghostface and survives once again.
Scream 4 (2011)
After a long break, the series returned with "Scream 4". Dewey is now the sheriff of Woodsboro and married to Gale. But when Ghostface reappears, he once again finds himself at the center of the action. As he tries to protect Sidney and the new victims, it becomes clear that he is still the brave survivor that the fans love. However, his relationship with Gale is once again put to the test.
Scream 5 (2022)
In the fifth installment of the series, simply titled "Scream", Dewey returns as an aged and reclusive ex-sheriff. His life has changed drastically since he left Gale. When Ghostface strikes again, he is asked for help by the new main characters. In a shocking twist, however, Dewey dies in a dramatic fight against the killer – a moment that touched many fans emotionally.
Conclusion
David Arquette was one of the defining characters of the "Scream" series for over 25 years. His portrayal of Dewey Riley brought humor, heart and heroism to the films and made him one of the most popular characters. His tragic end in "Scream 5" (2022) marked an emotional farewell, but his legacy in the horror world remains unforgotten.
