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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return 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 aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else 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 hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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