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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance 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 attained iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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