David Arquette’s appearance in “Scream 7” won’t be a jump scare for fans.
Deadline revealed in March that Arquette, 53, was reprising his role as Dewey Riley in the next film in the slasher franchise — despite Dewey being killed by Amber Freeman/Ghostface (played by Oscar winner Mikey Madison) in “Scream 5.”
While promoting his new movie “Mob Cops,” Arquette exclusively told The Post that the news of his “Scream 7” return “was a spoiler.”
Courteney Cox and David Arquette in “Scream.” Courtesy Everett Collection
Arquette in “Scream 4.”
“It was supposed to be a surprise,” Arquette said. “I don’t like spoilers,” he added.
Despite the leak, Arquette is excited for audiences to see “Scream 7,” which comes out in theaters in Feb. 27, 2026.
Arquette in his interview with The Post. New York Post
Jeremy Luke and Arquette in “Mob Cops.” SASHA DYLAN BELL
Arquette in “Mob Cops.” SASHA DYLAN BELL“There’s not much I can talk about it, but I hope people enjoy it,” he told The Post. “I love playing the role of Dewey, so any opportunities just to see the different people.
“Kevin Williamson directed this one. He wrote the first one [and] the second one,” Arquette noted. “He created the whole world, so you know, we missed Wes [Craven] a lot, obviously, but to work with Kevin in a directing capacity was really thrilling.”
Wes Craven directed the first four “Scream” movies. WireImage
Kevin Williamson is directing “Scream 7.” Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly“Scream 7” will also feature the returns of Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley as dead Ghostfaces Stu Macher and Roman Bridger, respectively.
“Matthew’s the best. I love Matthew so much,” Arquette told The Post of Lillard, 55, coming back to the franchise. “He’s such an incredible spirit, wonderful actor. I just think the world of him.”
Matthew Lillard and Rose McGowan in “Scream.” ©Dimension Films/Courtesy Everett Collection
Scott Foley in “Scream 3.” MiramaxArquette continued, “I’m also a fan of the films, you know, despite being in them. It’s been such an important aspect of my life. So to know that Matthew is a part of it, I got such a kick out of that. I get to see him quite a bit. He’s just so inspirational with fans of horror. All the stuff he does is wonderful.”
Cox and Arquette in “Scream 3.” DIMENSION FILMS
Arquette in “Scream 5.” ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
Dylan Minnette, Jack Quaid, Melissa Barrera and Arquette in “Scream 5.” ParamountThe actor is delighted to reunite with his ex-wife Courteney Cox (who plays Gale Weathers) in the upcoming film, too.
“We have a daughter together, so we’re amazing co-parents and I feel honored to know her,” he said.
Arquette and Cox, 60, met on the set of the original “Scream” and were married from 1999 to 2010. They have daughter Coco, 20.
Arquette and Cox in “Scream 4.” ©Dimension Films/Everett CollectLast year, the “Friends” actress told Variety that she wanted Arquette back in the “Scream” franchise. “Talk about a missed character. Dewey is so loved by ‘Scream’ fans. They have to figure it out,” she said.
Cox and Arquette at the “Scream 4” premiere in LA in April 2011. WireImageArquette starred in the first five “Scream” films but sat out of “Scream 6.”
The “Scream 7” cast includes legacy stars Arquette, Cox, Lillard, Foley, Neve Campbell, Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown, plus new additions Isabel May, Joel McHale, Ethan Embry, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos and McKenna Grace.
“Mob Cops” comes out April 25. “Scream 7” is in theaters Feb. 27, 2026.
