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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"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.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around 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 pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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