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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback 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 won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "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 plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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