Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production 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 series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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