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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages 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 film will be successful. I don't know if people want 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 truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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