Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.
The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.
"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.
An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites
It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.
The Weight of Iconic Legacy
For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.
"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."
Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.
"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."
The Fear of Disappointing the Fans
Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.
"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"
Theories and Excitement Run High
While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.
Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.
