Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive 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 aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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