Summary
While of course everyone is curious about Ghostface’s identity andwhat Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is up to now, I’d argue that horror fans are all thinking the same thing: how isScream 7going to feature so many dead characters? When I heardMatthew Lillard was reprising his role of Stu Macher, I was even more curious about the upcoming slasher sequel than I had been before. After news broke aboutDewey Riley (David Arquette) and Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) returning, I was optimistic, but uncertain.
There’s no doubt that explaining each of these legacy character cameos is going to be a tall order, and hopefully, it will be well-done instead of corny or confusing. I came acrossa fan theory that connects Stu, Dewey, and Roman inScream 7, and I think it makes sense, while also paying tribute to a horror movie icon.
Redditor @Creepy-Beat7154thinks thatScream 7could address the anniversary of Maureen Prescott’s death. The fan wrote:
“As we seen inScream 3, Sid had nightmares of her mom. It could open with Maureens murder, shows Stu, Billy and Roman meeting together to plot the murder. We see this for 10 minutes and how the murder happens… Sids fear with Tatum (who is now the same age as Sid when she found her mom dead) is that she would end up the same as Maureen and not be there for her daughters.”
The fan continued thatSidney could experience nightmares and then dream about Dewey, who shares some wisdom. Redditor @Dusty43125 agreed this could work because directorKevin Williamson could want to honor Wes Craven, the legendary horror director who directed everyScreammovie before he died in 2015. These dream sequences could pay tribute totheNightmare on Elm Streetfranchise.
It would be practical and also interesting to put Stu, Roman, and Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) in the same scene, and I would also be fascinated by the idea that so many Ghostfaces are connected. SinceMaureen’s murder has been alluded tothroughout the franchise, why not show it as the opening scene ofScream 7? This would help the movie stand out sinceevery opening sequence has shown Ghostface killing a new character or, in the case ofScream 4, offered up even more meta horror genre commentary. I would be interested in seeing a flashback scene, especially since Sidney’s mother’s death has had such a profound effect on her.
I also like the idea of Sidney having nightmares because it’s realistic for someone who has gone through so much trauma to still be affected by it. This fan theory also works well becauseit doesn’t involve all three dead characters coming back as ghosts. I’m stilldisappointed that Dewey diedand would be happy to see him again, but I don’t think thatScreamshould resurrect characters, so I’m okay with a moving dream scene.
Legacy Cast Members Are Excited To Come Back For Scream 7
Scott Foley, Matthew Lillard, and David Arquette have shared how happy they are to reprise their iconic rolesin various interviews, and it sounds like it’s been a great and special experience for all of them.
In a March 2025 interview onGood Morning America, Scott Foley called filming the sequel “so much fun.” According toEntertainment Weekly, the actor also commented on the confusion surrounding Roman’s reappearance. He said:
“I’m willing to take a poll here and someone can explain it to me because I don’t know how it works out… Now I’m back inScream 7, and I’m not sure how it’s going to work.”
Lillard joked he’ll be “a fairy godmother” in the movie, and healso shared that he’s “terrified"that he will “suck” in the film. But, while the actor has been honest about what it’s like to return to a franchise he left behind several years ago, he also sounds thrilled every time he talks about it. Arquette is also glad to play Dewey again, and he praised director Kevin Williamson in an April interview withUs Weekly:“Working with Kevin Williamson as a director was tremendous.”
While I was already impatient about finally seeingScream 7in February 2026as a long-time fan of the legendary slasher franchise, I’m even more curious now that these three legacy characters are coming back.
