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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "So I'm really proud 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 lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly 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 franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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