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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I remember 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 really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," 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 Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. 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 going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.