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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive 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 last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," 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 made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is 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 film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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