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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback 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 fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. 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 thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's 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 movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough 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 ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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