Summary

Legacy cast members excited to return for Scream 7, creating buzz and anticipation for the sequel.
Fan theory connects past dead characters in Scream 7 through Maureen Prescott's death anniversary.
Exploring legacy character cameos poses a challenge, with hopes they're well-executed for a unique storyline.

While of course everyone is curious about Ghostface's identity and what Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is up to now, I'd argue that horror fans are all thinking the same thing: how is Scream 7 going to feature so many dead characters? When I heard Matthew 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 about Dewey 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 across a fan theory that connects Stu, Dewey, and Roman in Scream 7, and I think it makes sense, while also paying tribute to a horror movie icon.

Scream 7's Time Jump Is What The Slasher Franchise Needs, But I Can't Stop Thinking About This Unique Ghostface Idea

The highly anticipated horror sequel, which will be released in February 2026, shouldn't have the same old Ghostface.

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By Aya Tsintziras

I Love This Scream 7 Fan Theory That Connects Every Past Dead Character

Scream 5 Neve Campbell As Sidney Prescott

Redditor @Creepy-Beat7154 thinks that Scream 7 could address the anniversary of Maureen Prescott's death. The fan wrote:

"As we seen in Scream 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 that Sidney could experience nightmares and then dream about Dewey, who shares some wisdom. Redditor @Dusty43125 agreed this could work because director Kevin Williamson could want to honor Wes Craven, the legendary horror director who directed every Scream movie before he died in 2015. These dream sequences could pay tribute to the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

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. Since Maureen's murder has been alluded to throughout the franchise, why not show it as the opening scene of Scream 7? This would help the movie stand out since every opening sequence has shown Ghostface killing a new character or, in the case of Scream 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 because it doesn't involve all three dead characters coming back as ghosts. I'm still disappointed that Dewey died and would be happy to see him again, but I don't think that Scream should resurrect characters, so I'm okay with a moving dream scene.

Legacy Cast Members Are Excited To Come Back For Scream 7

Roman Bridger looking serious in Scream 3

Scott Foley, Matthew Lillard, and David Arquette have shared how happy they are to reprise their iconic roles in various interviews, and it sounds like it's been a great and special experience for all of them.

In a March 2025 interview on Good Morning America, Scott Foley called filming the sequel "so much fun." According to Entertainment 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 in Scream 7, and I'm not sure how it's going to work."

Lillard joked he'll be "a fairy godmother" in the movie, and he also 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 with Us Weekly: "Working with Kevin Williamson as a director was tremendous."

While I was already impatient about finally seeing Scream 7 in February 2026 as a long-time fan of the legendary slasher franchise, I'm even more curious now that these three legacy characters are coming back.

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