Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.
The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.
"Returning to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.
An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites
Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.
The Weight of Iconic Status
For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.
"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "So 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 premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.
"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."
The Fear of Letting Down the Fans
Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.
"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"
Theories and Excitement Abound
While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.
Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.
