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

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 new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "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 definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.