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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.