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 next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," 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 made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of 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 pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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