Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved 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 movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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