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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

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

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment 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 cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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