Scream OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment 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 attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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