Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.
The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.
"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.
An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters
It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.
The Weight of Legendary Status
For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.
"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."
Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.
"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."
The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom
Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.
"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"
Theories and Excitement Abound
While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.
Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.
