The blood-soaked legacy of one of Hollywood’s most infamous slasher sagas, Scream, is slashing its way back with a seventh installment. And to keep the terror shrieking at full volume, the franchise is resurrecting Woodsboro’s fan-favorite sheriff, Dewey Riley, the very one gutted in Scream 5, with David Arquette stepping back into the role. While the news sends chills of excitement down spines, it also raises a haunting question: How is Dewey crawling back from the grave?

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According to a recent report by Deadline, David Arquette from the first five Scream movies is reprising his role as Dewey Riley for the seventh movie of the franchise. But it turns out, he is not the only one walking the resurrection arc for Scream 7. Arquette is joining Scott Foley and Matthew Lillard in reviving their now-deceased characters for the Spyglass and Paramount Pictures project. 

It remains under the wraps how it is even possible after Ghostface, played by Oscar-winner Mikey Madison, horrifically left Dewey to die in Scream 5. Simultaneously, details regarding Foley and Lillard’s comeback to the franchise remain foggy. Arquette will now join previously confirmed seasoned Scream cast-mates, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, and newbies McKenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor, Joel McHale, Asa Germann, Sam Rechner, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos, and Ethan Embry.

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Though Dewey’s revival brings a lot of questions like the two other surprise retreats, it looks like Courteney Cox’s prayers were answered for David Arquette’s comeback.

Courteney Cox’s return to Scream’s 7th installment was set in stone last December. But in September 2024, the Friends actor told Variety she was still waiting for a final script. During that conversation, Cox lamented Dewey Riley’s loss in Scream 5, portrayed by David Arquette. While Cox was not oblivious to the plot’s requirement, the actor secretly hoped the filmmakers would bring him back for more.

“I understand the reasons they did it, but whoa! Talk about a missed character,” Cox said. She doubled down, stressing that Dewey is so well-received by the fans of Scream, “they have to figure it out” on how to make way for Arquette. Fast-forward to now, 3 months down the line, Cox’s hope and the fans’ dreams turned out to be crystal ball prophecy—something that aged like fine wine.

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What do you think of David Arquette's return to the Scream franchise alongside Scott Foley and Matthew Lillard for the 7th installment? Share your thoughts in the comments below!