Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

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 signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

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

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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