Scream OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director 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 occasion since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "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 wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety 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 miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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