“All I’m askin’ is for a little respect.” Much like the iconic lyrics, Sheriff Dewey Riley—formerly “Dewey Boy,” as his late sister Tatum lovingly teased—still grapples with earning the authority his badge demands in Scream 4. Despite his promotion from Deputy to Sheriff of Woodsboro, the quirks that make Dewey so endearing continue to hinder his quest for respect.

“There is definitely self-referential humor,” David Arquette shared about his character’s development over the years. “I play Sheriff Riley, not Deputy Dewey anymore, but I still lack the respect from the people that I feel like I deserve. But it’s a great way to find comedy through the quirks of a police officer with no real authority. Nobody takes him seriously, and things still tend to go very wrong.”

Arquette’s affection for Dewey shines through, as he praises Scream 4 for its storytelling and exciting twists. “It’s an exciting movie. Scream 4, I think, is going to be the best of the sequels by far. It’s got a really amazing beginning, and throughout, it’s great. And then the ending is pretty cool, too.”

When asked whether returning to the franchise was an easy decision, Arquette didn’t hesitate. “For me, it was a no-brainer. I love the character Dewey; I love working with Wes Craven. Being able to work with Courteney again is amazing, and Neve. It was pretty much a no-brainer. We’ve been working on these movies for 16 years, so you go back, and we know the DP, the prop master, and the first AD, and they’re all buddies of ours. We all went through this whole experience together.”

As for Dewey’s future beyond Scream 4, Arquette remains hopeful. “It definitely leaves it open. So I would love to play the character again. I enjoy it, and I hope the people go out and enjoy it. I loved working with Wes and the whole family.”

Sheriff Riley may not always get the respect he desires, but David Arquette’s dedication to the character has made Dewey a beloved cornerstone of the Scream universe.