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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears 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 confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.