Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl 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 role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment 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 made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character 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 in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state 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 mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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