Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard 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 signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.