Mikey Madison on Playing Ghostface and Facing Backlash for Dewey‘s Fate
Mikey Madison never anticipated the lasting impact her role in the 2022 reboot of “Scream” would have. In the film, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, she portrayed one of Ghostface’s identities, ultimately responsible for the demise of beloved Sheriff Dewey Riley. Played by David Arquette, Dewey had been a franchise staple since the first “Scream” in 1996.
An Unexpected Fan Reaction
“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, that I’ve now been able to discover,” Madison admitted. “I really naively went into it.”
Madison quickly learned the depth of the “Scream” fandom after the film’s release.
“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,” she said. “People have come up to me, and they’re like, ‘I hate that this happened. I’m mad at you.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t write the script!’ I didn’t want to do it.”
Finding Her Thriller Footing
“Scream” was Madison’s first major movie role, and the audition process itself was something of a surprise. “I had auditioned. I sent in a tape, and then I heard nothing for, like, eight months or something, and I’d pretty much forgotten about it,” she explained.
“Then they came back, and they were like, ‘Hey, would you want to be in this film? The character would be the Scream Ghostface character.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, that sounds really fun. I would absolutely like to do that, and I specifically would love to play this Ghostface character,’ because it’s such an interesting, fun reveal, and it’s such a crazy, unpredictable arc for a character, as well. I think that those films are so self-aware in a way where all the actors know exactly what kind of movie they’re in, and you’re able to have fun with it.”
She joined a cast that included Jenna Ortega, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera and Jack Quaid. Madison’s youthful energy and commitment to embodying the Ghostface persona contributed to the film’s thrilling atmosphere.
Despite the unexpected backlash, Madison proved she could handle the intensity of both the role and the passionate “Scream” fanbase.
How did Mikey Madison prepare for the intense fan reaction to her role as Ghostface in the “Scream” reboot?
## Mikey Madison on Playing Ghostface and Facing Backlash for Dewey’s Fate
**Host:** Joining us today is actress Mikey Madison, who delivered a chilling performance as one of the Ghostface killers in the 2022 “Scream” reboot. Welcome to the show, Mikey!
**Mikey Madison:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s talk about your experience entering this iconic franchise. Most people would assume you knew the cultural impact of the “Scream” series. Were you prepared for the intense reaction from fans?
**Mikey Madison:** To be honest, not really. [1] I was a bit naive going into it. I knew it was a beloved horror film, but I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the fan base until after the release.
**Host:** You portrayed one of the Ghostface killers, and your character, Amber, ultimately dealt a fatal blow to Sheriff Dewey Riley, a character played by David Arquette who had been a fan favorite since the original film. What was it like handling that responsibility and the potential backlash from fans?
**Mikey Madison:** I knew Dewey’s death would be a big deal for fans. It was a difficult scene to film, emotionally, knowing the importance of the character. But as an actress, it was also a challenging and rewarding opportunity.
**Host:** How did fans react to your portrayal of Ghostface and Dewey’s demise?
**Mikey Madison:**
The reaction has been mixed, to say the least [1]. Some fans were understanding, while others were pretty devastated by Dewey’s death. There’s definitely been some backlash, but I think that’s a testament to how much people cared about the character. I tried to approach the role with respect for the franchise and its history.
**Host:** Well, it’s certainly a testament to your performance that it evoked such a strong reaction. Thank you for sharing your insights, Mikey. We appreciate you being here.
