It has been announced that David Arquette will reprise his role as policeman Dewey Riley in the upcoming relaunch of the Scream movie franchise.
“I am thrilled to be playing Dewey again and to reunite with my Scream family, old and new,” said Arquette in a statement. “Scream has been such a big part of my life, and for both the fans and myself, I look forward to honoring Wes Craven’s legacy.”
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Arquette is the first member of the film’s ensemble to be officially announced, but conversations are underway with other legacy cast members.
Principal photography will begin later this year in Wilmington, NC., when safety protocols are in place.
Arquette portrayed the good-hearted, but not-overly- smart, Deputy Dewey in the first four Scream movies, all of which were directed by the late Craven. His fellow costars in the films included Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell, who earlier in May said she was “having conversations” about returning to the Scream franchise. The most recent entry in the slasher flick franchise, Scream 4, was released in 2011.
Plot details about the latest Scream installment are still under wraps, but the film will be an original story co-written by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac, The Amazing Spider-Man) and Guy Busick (Ready or Not). Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of filmmaking group Radio Silence will direct, with the third member of the group Chad Villella serving as executive producer alongside Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original Scream script.
“I’m excited to reteam with David and work with Jamie, Guy and Radio Silence on the next Scream,” said Williamson. “Their take on the movie is both original, inventive and honors Wes’ legacy in a wonderful way. Ready or Not was my favorite horror film of last year and I can’t wait to see what their amazing talents bring to the Scream universe. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”