Scream OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil 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 gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist 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 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

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

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

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"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 am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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