Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud 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 very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting 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 fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. 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 going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.