Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very 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 appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "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 certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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