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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored 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 quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, 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 state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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