Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.
The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.
"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.
A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites
Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return 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 killer pair, Stu Macher.
The Pressure of Legendary Status
For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.
"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."
Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.
"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."
The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans
Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.
"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"
Theories and Anticipation Abound
While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.
Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.
