Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit 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 be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state 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 exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic genre films, also exists.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.