Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series 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 major family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary return 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 won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

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

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want 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 reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.