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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

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

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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