Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall 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 attained iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.