Scream OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, 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 dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched 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 years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.