Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

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

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented 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 confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back 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 thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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