Scream OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.
The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.
"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.
A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters
It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.
The Weight of Legendary Legacy
For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, 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 remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."
Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.
"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."
The Fear of Letting Down the Fans
Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.
"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's 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 trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"
Speculation and Excitement Abound
While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.
Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.
