Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So 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 original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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