Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from 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.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," 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 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"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 be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure 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 Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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