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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals 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 mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

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

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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