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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready 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 murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored 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 made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"The outcome is 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 am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely 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 series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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