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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. 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 decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager 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 reason.'"

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 exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also exists.

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