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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance 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 attained cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited 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 want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of 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 responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist 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 chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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