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 next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter 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 challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

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

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated 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 mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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