Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. 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 character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted 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 left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back 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 leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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