Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different 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. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member 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 brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore 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 was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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