Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.
The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.
"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.
A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites
It has been established that three 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 return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.
The Weight of Iconic Legacy
For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.
"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."
Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.
"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."
The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans
Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.
"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"
Speculation and Anticipation Abound
While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.
Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.
