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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, 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 portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer 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 really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. 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 pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.