Matthew Lillard talks guilt about returning for sequel

Matthew Lillard recently discussed his choice to return to Scream 7 during a Q&A event.He said he was embarrassed and ashamed to think that he was returning to play Stu Marcher despite Melissa Barrera having been removed from the series.The video of the Q&A was later posted to TikTok.

Lillard said at the scene that he was very excited to return to this role, so he did not fully think about what Barrera had gone through, and he did not choose to refuse.He said the criticism made him feel bad when he looked back at his decision at the time.What is mentioned here is his public response to his personal choice, not a new announcement from the film studio.

《Scream 7》(Scream 7) was released in February this year.Lillard starred in the first film in 1996 - Scream - and also appeared in the second sequel. Stu Marcher is one of his most familiar characters.The return brought old characters back into the series and brought back the controversy surrounding the production of the seventh installment.

He mentioned in the Q&A that Barrera was removed from the series

Barrera was removed from the cast of the seventh installment in November 2023.At that time, she expressed support for Palestine on social platforms.Publisher Spyglass Media Group subsequently issued a statement stating that the company does not tolerate anti-Semitic or content that incites hatred, citing false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing and distortion of the Holocaust.

Lillard expressed his views on Barrera's experience in the Q&A.He believed that her expression was on the right side of history, and also said that the outside world did not respond adequately in time at that time.The report recorded his original words and personal attitude, and the decisions of the relevant parties at that time were still based on their respective public statements.

When it comes to the stress that can come with work, Lillard said some things are worth persevering even if they interfere with your job.He also mentioned that he has queer children and hopes to speak out on issues involving the queer and transgender communities.This is a personal reason he added in the same Q&A, and does not involve the subsequent plot of Scream 7.

After news of Barrera's departure emerged, Jenna Ortega did not remain involved in the seventh installment, and original director Christopher Landon also exited the project.Later, Neve Campbell was confirmed to return as Sidney Prescott.Cast adjustments and director changes made the production of this sequel go through several obvious turns.

A public response that brings back discussions from the production period

Lillard did not use the Q&A to reveal new projects, nor did he talk about more character plots.He focused on his mood at the time, admitting that when he accepted the invitation to return, he only wanted to play Stu again, only to later realize that this decision and Barrera's departure cannot be separated.

《Scream 7》(Scream 7) has been released, but the news surrounding the actors' departure and stay will be mentioned repeatedly.Lillard expressed his feelings very directly this time, and also allowed the audience to re-see the personnel changes that the film went through before filming started.