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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. 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 alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, 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.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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