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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, 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 portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also exists.

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