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

The long-awaited horror film 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 latest installment marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer 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 Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

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

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, 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 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 exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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