Mikey Madison, who played one of the Ghostface killers in the 2022 installment of the Scream franchise, has addressed the emotional backlash surrounding her character’s involvement in Sheriff Dewey Riley’s death. In a recent interview with Collider, Madison shared her reflections on the role, the impact of that pivotal scene, and the strong reactions she received from the franchise’s passionate fan base.
Underestimating the Fan Base
Madison admitted that when she first joined the cast of Scream, she was unaware of the cultural significance of the franchise and its dedicated following.
“I have to be honest, when I did the film, it sounds naive, but I wasn’t so aware of the huge fan base that the franchise has,” she said.
Born after the release of the first two Scream films in the 1990s, Madison was just beginning to understand the legacy of the series and its enduring popularity as she stepped into the project.
Reacting to Dewey’s Death
In the film, Madison’s character is revealed as one of the Ghostface killers responsible for the shocking death of Sheriff Dewey Riley, a beloved figure played by David Arquette since the franchise’s inception. Reflecting on the controversial scene, Madison shared her personal reaction at the time of filming:
“I remember being kind of sad because I was like, ‘Oh, such a great character. It’ll be sad to see him go.’ And then I realized afterward the heartbreak that so many people felt.”
Dewey’s death marked a significant moment for fans, many of whom were devastated by the loss of such a key character. Madison revealed that she has encountered fans who expressed their frustration with her directly:
“People have come up to me and said, ‘I hate that this happened. I’m mad at you.’”
Her response was lighthearted but honest:
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t write the script! I didn’t want to do it.”
Auditioning for Scream
Madison also spoke about the lengthy audition process she went through for the role, which began with a tape submission. She initially heard nothing for months and assumed she hadn’t been selected.
“I heard nothing for, like, eight months, and I’d pretty much forgotten about it,” she explained.
When the offer finally came, she was thrilled to join the project and excited about the opportunity to play Ghostface. She was particularly drawn to the film’s unique balance of horror and self-aware humor, a hallmark of the Scream series.
The Legacy of 2022’s Scream
The 2022 Scream installment featured an ensemble cast that included Jenna Ortega, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera, and Jack Quaid. The film served as both a sequel and a reboot of the franchise, introducing new characters while bringing back legacy cast members. While Madison’s portrayal of Ghostface drew criticism due to Dewey’s death, she remains grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an iconic series.
As her career progresses, Madison hopes fans will recognize the distinction between her and the fictional actions of her character. Despite the criticism, she values the experience of working in a franchise with such a loyal and engaged audience.
For more updates on entertainment news, stay tuned to Vviptimes.
Source: Collider
