Summary
While it would be great to see Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), and Dewey Riley (David Arquette) in everyScreammovie, that might not be possible. Although Campbell will be back as one of the best final girls inScream 7, there’s no confirmation that Cox will return as well. As for Arquette, he didn’t appear inScream 6after the tragic ending to Dewey’s story. But whileScream 7won’t include The Core Four, fans aren’t sure which legacy characters will come back for the seventh sequel, or if any will besides Sidney.
David Arquette recently gave an interview and shared his thoughts about Dewey Riley, whose love for his small town of Woodsboro, California made him committed to finding Ghostface over many years. This brings up the question:could Dewey come back forScream 7… or another movie in the popular horror franchise?
What Did David Arquette Say About Dewey And What Could That Mean For Scream 7?
In July 2024, David Arquette was interviewed byUs Weeklyandtalked about how much he loves hisScreamcharacter Dewey Riley. When asked about coming back to the franchise and playing his cop character again, he said:
“I mean I love working with Neve and Courtney. And just being able to play Dewey in any way. I love that Kevin Williamson’s directing. I think it’s really going to be special that he’s a part of it. I think he’s gonna bring a lot of depth to it and make sure this group is really multidimensional.”
While at the time of this writing,David Arquette isn’t playing Dewey inScream 7,it’s possible to see how he could return in this movie or in a future one.If Dewey was inScream 7,he could be a ghost who only Gale Weathers could see. While this would normally be too corny, andwatching Billy Loomis’s (Skeet Ulrich) spirit inScream (2022)was definitely cheesy, it would work with Dewey’s goofy, charming, and nerdy personality. Since he’s a sentimental and sensitive person, it would make sense that he would want to see Gale again. She has also been understandably affected by his death, especially since they were divorced at the time and she had many unresolved feelings.
If Dewey’s ghost appeared inScream 7or a futureScreammovie,Dewey could give Gale advice about finding out who Ghostface is. Since he would be watching the main characters, he’d be able to see some angles in the mystery that they can’t figure out themselves. Gale and Dewey could banter like they used to, which would add some humor to the story. This would work sincetheScreamfranchise isn’t that scary.
Dewey’s possible return to theScreamfranchise would also bring an emotional element to the story, which is necessary.Screamhas always balanced the friendship between the main characters with shocking kills and discussions of the horror genre. Watching Sidney and Dewey’s close relationship was always moving, and his absence was felt inScream 6.
In the same interview, David Arquette talked about how he thinks that Dewey could have beat Ghostface during the fight scene in the hospital inScream (2022). He said:
“Dewey would have shot the killer in the head. He would’ve known that. But I had to suspend my disbelief. He got distracted by love. That’s what killed him.”
What Happened To Dewey In The Scream Franchise?
Dewey Riley plays a crucial part in theScreamfranchise, from trying to find and kill Ghostface to looking out for Sidney Prescott. Throughout all fiveScreammovies that he appears in, his relationship with Gale Weathers evolves as they meet, connect, get engaged, and then fans learn that they’re married and living happily in Woodsboro… until Ghostface comes back, that is.
WhileDewey was supposed to die inScream,Ghostface killed him at the hospital where Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) was a patient inScream (2022). Although fans are glad and relieved that the popular character survived, it’s still sad to think about this big loss. It’s possible to argue thatDewey’s death should have been avoided. On the one hand, it’s tough to kill off such a major character since that means they can’t play the same role in the story that they always have. On the other hand, it was a risk that made the story scarier.
Whether or not Dewey ever comes back to theScreamfranchise, he is one of the most beloved characters thanks to his compassionate personality and his dedication to protect Sidney Prescott and the town of Woodsboro over so many years.
