Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise 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 family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by 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 twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state 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 ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.