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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. 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 murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state 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 ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also exists.

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