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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief appearance 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 small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

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 confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.