Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin 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 return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled 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 don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.