Scream OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback 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 returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. 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 returning to this trope?' 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 cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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