Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready 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 original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting 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 observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. 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 returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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