Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals 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 reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear 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 beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.