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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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