Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out 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.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety 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 fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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