Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past 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. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"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 be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough 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 responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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