After a few weeks of well-earned silence, Scream 7 is bleeding back into the spotlight. Slowly, quietly, and through the voices of those who know it best.

Before we dive in, a quick note from me — sorry for the brief absence. Between an intense professional schedule and a new (yes, secret) project that’s deeply tied to the Scream universe, I hadn’t been able to sit down and give the latest updates the attention they deserve.

But you all knew I’d be right back…

“It was supposed to be a surprise.“

Speaking to Coming Soon while promoting his new film Mob Cops, Arquette told that the return of Dewey Riley wasn’t supposed to be out yet.

“I mean, it was a spoiler. It wasn’t supposed to be released. It was supposed to be a surprise.”

Still, Arquette couldn’t hide his excitement over working with Kevin Williamson, who directs Scream 7 — or about sharing the screen once again with Neve Campbell and Matthew Lillard.

“I’m not really supposed to talk about it too much, but Kevin Williamson was directing and that was a real thrill. And it’s amazing to see him be able to have that opportunity and to get Neve back in this one. And Matthew, I mean… It’s exciting. I love playing the role of Dewey and will always love playing the role of Dewey.”

Speaking separately with Collider, Arquette shared that his decision to return came down to one thing: the fans.

“I love playing the role of Dewey, and I’d do anything for the fans. I love the relationship it has with the fans.”

“Working with Kevin Williamson as a director was really amazing. He’s just so obviously created this whole world, and to be able to see him have the opportunity to do that is really touching.”

“It’s like old friends.”

Meanwhile, Scream legend Matthew Lillard also spoke to Coming Soon, revealing that yes — the rumors are true. Stu Macher is back. And yes, the plan was for it to be a secret, too.

“Yeah, I was really not gonna lie, I was pretty excited about it. I had a lot of questions for Kevin when he called. I’m excited, really ecstatic to be back. I hope fans are happy. I hope people are excited to see me, and I just hope I don’t screw it up.”

“I think the script’s great. I think the cast is fantastic, so I’m really hopeful that it’s a home run.”

As for the vibe on set?

“It’s like old friends, right? And Neve’s on set, and working with Neve and seeing her is great. I think that we’re all really hopeful… it’s got that vibe of like old-school Scream, and so I just think we’re all really hopeful that we’re building what the fans will love and appreciate.”

On the topic of leaks, Lillard acknowledged that modern productions are hard to keep under wraps — especially when you’re sneaking Ghostfaces in and out of Atlanta.

“Oh, yeah. I was definitely not supposed to be announced until the trailer. But I think that we were all pretty conscious of the fact that, you know, once you start saying ‘Scream 7 shooting,’ people are gonna start paying attention to the general area. So sneaking me in and sneaking me out would’ve been very difficult. So eventually we broke the news ourselves before I got a chance to leak.”

“It is what it is. It’s modern technology, and I don’t think anyone was unduly surprised. I’ll put it that way.”

“It definitely was a full-circle moment.”

One of the most surprising and welcome new additions to the cast is Anna Camp, who’s currently promoting her “double” appearance on the final season of You. Camp told Today that joining the Scream franchise felt like a full-circle moment in more ways than one.

“So the first movie that I ever went to a movie theater with, on a date with a boy, was Scream 1.”

“Yes, I remember it very vividly. I was getting all scared and like holding on to him — snuggling up to him, you know? So to be on set and be acting with Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox — I mean, these icons — and Kevin Williamson, it was an absolute dream come true.”

“And I know that fans are going to be very happy, very scared, and they’re going to probably be screaming in their seats.”

Speaking to press on the red carpet for You, she added:

“I feel so grateful, and it was such a pinch-me moment and such a career highlight. And I know that people are going to love it because it’s terrifying. It’s so terrifying.”

And now, thanks to a recent Marie Claire interview, we have one more puzzle piece in place: Camp confirmed she plays Sidney Prescott’s best friend and neighbor in the film. Without giving away much, she teased:

“All I can say is that it’s one of the most jaw-dropping, surprising, and literally bloody Screams you’re going to see. When I read the script, my jaw was on the floor times a million.”

It sounds like the neighborhood just got a lot more dangerous.

What’s next?

With each new quote, we’re reminded of what this franchise does best: bring people together, scare the hell out of them, and maybe, just maybe, make us believe in resurrections after all.

Stay tuned. There’s more to come.