Scream OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. 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 portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember 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 thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part 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 Anxiety 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 significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.