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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

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 pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. 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 eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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