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 next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl 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 fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"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 film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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