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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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