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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor 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 beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "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 certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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