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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

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

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "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 original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream 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 significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like 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 horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.