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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop 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 Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. 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 asking. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

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

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of 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 thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.