Scream OG Star the Actor Is Anxious 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 major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing 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 anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of 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 responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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